miK 


Presbytery  of  WasMngton  City 


ITS  CHURCHES. 


PREPARED  FOR  THE  CENTENNIAL  OF  THE 
GENERAL  ASSEMBLY, 

4888. 


tihraxy  of  t:he  Checlcjfcal  ^eminarjp 

PRINCETON  •  NEW  JERSEY 


PRESENTED  BY 

Miss  Emily  H,  Tupper 
BX  8958  .W3  P74  1888 

The  Presbytery  of  Washingtor 
City  and  the  churches  under 


lire,? 


THE 


Presbytery  of  Washington 


THE  CHURCHES  UNDER  ITS  CARE. 


Prepared  for  the  Centennial  of  the  General  Assembly, 

May    17,  18SS,  BY  ORDER  OF  the  Presbytery,  in 

response    to  the    Resolution  of 

THE  Assembly. 


i,  D.  D.,  y 


J.  E.  NOURSE, 

B.   F.   BITTINGER,  D.  D.,   J>-  Committee. 

JOHN    CHESTER,  D.  D.,     ) 


WASHINGTON  : 
Gibson  Bros.,  Printers  and  Bookbinders. 
iJ 


PAGE. 

The  Centennial  of  the  Assembly 3 

The  Churches  under  Baltimore  Presbytery 6 

The  Presbytery  of  the  District  of  Columbia 7 

The  Potomac  Presbytery 14 

The  Presbytery  of  Washington  City 18 

The  Churches. 

Bladensburg,  now  Hyattsville,  1718 26 

First  Alexandria,  1772 28 

Bridge  Street,  now  West  Street,  1780 30 

First  Presbyterian,  1795 35 

F  street,  1803,  and  Second  Church,  1820,  united  in  N.  Y.  Avenue 40 

Fourth  Chiarch,  1828 45 

Fifteenth  Street,  1841 47 

Assembly's,  March  9,  1853 49 

Sixth  Church,  March  30,  1853 51 

Westminster,  June,  1853 52 

Western,  1855 54 

Metropolitan,  1864 56 

North,  1865 59 

Eastern,  1875 61 

Unity,  1882 63 

Church  of  the  Covenant,  1885 64 

Suburban  Churches. 

Lewinsville,  Falls  Church,  Vienna,  First  Prince  William,  Manassas,  and 

Clifton— Virginia 66 

Darnestown,  Neelsville,  Boyd,  and  Hermon — Montgomery  County,  Md...  72 


Frontispiece. 
Beidge  Street  Church.     Erected  1782;  rebuilt  1821;  taken  down  1872. 


The  Centennial  of  the  Assembly. 

The  100th  meeting  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presl)y- 
terian  Church  in  the  United  States,  to  be  held  in  Philadelphia 
in  May,  1888,  is  looked  for  with  much  interest.  It  will  be  a 
grateful  remembrance  of  its  organization,  and  of  a  century  of 
God's  favor  to  the  churches  under  its  care.  In  accordance  with 
the  unvaried  custom  of  the  Church,  the  Assetnbly  of  the  Church 
North  will  meet  on  the  third  Thursday  of  May,  this  year  the  17th  ; 
on  the  24th,  the  Assembly  of  the  Church  South  will  unite  with 
it  in  celebrating  the  organization  of  the  First  Assembly  in  1789. 

The  memorials  of  these  meetings  will  record  themselves  in  the 
enlarged  and  consecrated  contributions  of  the  year  for  the  pro- 
motion of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom. 

Within  the  arrangements  for  this  observance,  adopted  by  the 
Assembly  of  the  Church  North,  is  the  presentation  by  each  Synod, 
Presbytery,  and  Church,  of  a  history  of  its  founding  and  growth. 

The  Presbytery  of  Washington  City  cordially  responds  to  the 
call  of  the  Assembly.  It  recognizes  tiie  founding  of  Presbyte- 
rianism  in  this  District,  and  its  vicinity,  as  effected  more  than  a 
quarter  of  a  century  before  its  occupancy  for  the  seat  of  the 
Government,  and  the  growth  of  our  Churches  as  emphasized  by 
their  influence  on  the  many  leading  minds  gathered  from  time  to 
time  in  council  at  the  National  Capital.  A  number  of  our  Presi- 
dents, members  of  their  Cabinets,  very  many  Senators  and  Rep- 
sentatives,  members  of  the  Supreme  Judiciary,  and  Officers  of 
the  Army  and  Navy  have  been  and  are  attendants  or  members 
of  our  Churches,  and  several  of  our  pastors  have  been  Chaplains 
to  the  Congresses.  The  influence ,  thus  hopefully  exerted  on 
minds  which  guide  the  nation,  is  beyond  oui-  estimate. 

The  Records  of  the  large  extension  *  of  the  whole  Church,  and 

*"At  the  first  meeting  of  the  General  Assembly,  held  May  21,  1789,- the 
Church  consisted  of  but  177  Ministers,  431  Churches,  and  about  18,000  Com- 
municants. It  contributed  to  the  cause  of  Missions,  $852.00.  The  rolls  re- 
ported to  the  Assembly  of  the  Church  North  in  1887  give  the  number  of 
Ministers,  5,654;  of  Churches,  6,436;  of  Communicants,  696,767.  The  benevo- 
lent contributions  of  the  year  had  been  about  #3,198,458.  From  1789  to  1887 
the  aggregate  of  contributions  of  the  whole  Church  North  and  South  had  been 
about  $67,000,000,  of  which  $48,704,209  have  been  given  since  1870.  The  total 
of  additions  to  membership  by  confession  of  faith  since  1789  have  been  about 


those  of  its  lower  (;onrts  and  Churches  are  made  to  the  praise 
only  of  the  grace  of  God,  the  Giver  ;  and  while  we  may  not 
glorify  the  men  who  under  Him  liave  planted  and  sustained  the 
Churches,  we  rigiitfully  commemorate  their  memories  by  the 
record  of  the  work  given  into  their  hands. 

The  calls  of  the  Asseml)ly  and  the  Presbytery  may  be  met  by 
presenting  in  brief  a  Record — 

I.  Of  the  connection  of  the  Churclies  first  planted  here  with 
the  earliest  organization  covering  this  section  of  the  country. 

II.  Of  the  organization  and  work  of  each  of  the  two  Fresby- 
teries  now  consolidated,  the  District  of  Columbia  and  the 
Potomac. 

III.  Of  the  work  of  the  existing  Presbytery ;  and 

IV.  Of  the  founding  and  growth  of  each  of  its  Churches. 
The  Cliurches  now  under  the  care  of  the  Presbytery,  named 

in  the  order  of  their  respective  organizations,  are: 

The  Bladensburg,  now  Hyattsville,  Maryland,  organized  in 
1718 ;  First  Alexandria,  1772  ;  Bridge  Street,  now  West 
Street,  1780;  First  Presbyterian, Washington,  1795;  F.  Street, 
1803,  united  with  the  Second  Presbyterian  of  1820,  in  the  New 
York  Ave.  (1859);  Fourth  Church,  1828  ;  Fifteenth  St.,  1811  ; 
Neelsville,  Maryland,  1845;  Lewinsville,  Virginia,  1846;  First 
Prince  William,  Virginia,  1850 ;  Assembly's,  Washington,  March 
9,  1853;  Sixth,  March  30,  1853;  Seventh  Church,  now  West- 
minster, June,  1853;  Western,  1855  ;  Darnestown,  Maryland, 
1857;  Church  on  Capitol  Hill,  now  Metropolitan,  1864  ;  North 
Church,  1865;  Manassas,  Virginia,  1867;  Clifton,  1870;  Falls 
Church,  February,  1873;  Vienna,  November,  1873;  Hermon, 
Maryland,  1874;  Eastern,  Washington,  1875;  Boyd  Station, 
Maryland,  1877  ;  Unity,  Washington,  1882  ;  Church  of  the  Cov- 
enant, 1885. 

1,500,000"  (Epitome  of  the  History  of  the  Church  by  Stated  Clerk,  W.  H. 
Koberts). 

At  the  organization  of  the  Church  South  it  had  10  Synods,  47  Presbyteries, 
1,000  Churches,  and  75,000  Communicants.  To  these  were  added  in  1863  the 
"United  Synod  of  the  South"  bringing  12,000  Communicants;  in  1867,  the 
Presbytery  of  Patapsco  with  575,  and  in  1867,  part  of  the  Synod  of  Kentucky 
with  13,540  ;  a  total  of  110,115  Communicants.  The  rolls  reported  to  the  As- 
sembly South  in  1887  numbered  13  Synods,  69  Presbyteries,  2,236  Churches, 
and  150,398  members.  The  total  membership  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
United  States  is,  therefore,  a  little  more  than  846,000.  For  which  to  God  be 
all  the  glory. 


To  which  list  are  to  be  added  those  of  the  Churches  among 
the  Freedmen,in  Amelia  County,  Virginia:  Big  Oak  and  Mount 
Ziojsr,  in  1866;  Russell  Grovk,  1868  ;  Albright,  1871  ;  Oak 
Grove,  1881;  Mount  Hermon",  1882.  Of  none  of  these  have 
definite  accounts  been  found  avai]al)le  for  record  beyond  these 
dates. 

Of  the  roll  first  given  separate  sketches  are  offered,  those 
in    the   same  field  being  taken   together,  as  associate  Churches. 

For  the  basis  of  tlie  papers,  acknowledgments  are  due  to  Rev. 
Drs.  Sunderland,  Bittinger  and  Chester,  for  the  histories  read 
by  them  at  the  Centennial  of  Baltimore  Presbytery,  1886;  to 
Dr.  Sunderland,  for  the  loan  of  the  valued,  though  unfinished, 
manuscript  liistory,  written  by  the  late  Rev.  Mr,  McFalls  ;  to 
Dr.  Bittinger,  for  his  Journal  of  the  Churches,  to  the  year  1879  ; 
and  to  the  officers  of  the  Sessions,  who  have  revised  the  sketches 
presented. 

The  hope  is  entertained  that  these  memorials  of  God's  goodly 
favor  to  His  people  may,  in  the  hands  of  church  officers  and 
private  members,  further  promote  Christian  activity  and  fellowship. 

J.  E.  N. 


I.    The  Churches    First  Planted  in   this  Region  under  the 
Earhest  Organization  Covering  It. 

From  Dr.  Hodge's  "  Constitutional  History''  it  will  he  learned 
that  the  three  Presbyterian  Ministers,  Rev.  Isaac  Keith,  S.  B. 
Balch,  and  James  Hunt,  who  first  lal)ored  in  this  section  of  the 
country,  were  raenihers  first  of  tlie  old  Presbytery  of  Donegal, 
Pennsylvania,  whicli  covered  a  widely  extended  territory.  Tiie 
earliest  of  onr  organizations  in  this  region  were  under  its  au- 
thority. In  1786  these,  with  Dr.  Patrick  Alison,  Revs.  John 
Slemons  and  George  Luckey  ;  Elders  Captain  Joshua  Beall,  of 
Bladensburg;  Dr.  William  Lyon,  of.  Baltimore,  and  the  vacant 
Churches  of  the  territory,  were  set  off  by  the  Synod  of  New  York 
and  Philadelphia  to  form  the  Presbytery  of  Baltimore.  Until 
the  year  1823  the  Churches  of  First  Alexandria,  Bridge  Street, 
First  and  Second  Presbyterian,  Washington ;  Bladensburg, 
Cabin  John  and  Bethesda,  in  Maryland,  were  under  the  care  of 
that  Presbytery. 

Even  a  passing  review  of  this  period  of  37  years  would  exhibit 
some  ittipressive  facts.  The  men  who  founded  the  earliest  of  our 
organizations  were  called  to  a  full  missionary  work.  This  region 
was,  in  their  day,  as  purely  missionary  ground  as  now  is  any  in 
the  far  West — their  s,  the  labor  of  the  pioneer.  Balch,  journeying 
from  his  Church  in  Georgetown  to  found  that  of  Frederick  and 
others,  and  Brackenridge,  crossing  from  Cabin  John  to  Bladens- 
burg, and  the  devout  Elders  who  collected  funds  for  the  erection 
of  the  First  Presbyterian  of  1795,  must  have  known  something  of 
frontier  travel.  They  were  men  of  strong  convictions  of  duty  to 
both  church  and  state,  sharing  the  principles  of  our  Withbrspoon, 
and  receiving  the  scantiest  ministerial  support. 

The  evidences  of  the  manifestation  of  that  characteristic  of 
our  Church — a  liberal  feelino;  towards  all  other  evanojelical  denomi- 
nations — are  as  clear.  Dr.  Hodge's  history  records  this  in  full  as 
shown  to  our  kindred  Churches  in  the  mother  country.  A  like 
manifestation  towards  the  Congregational  Church  in  the  United 
States  brought  aboutf*^  Plan  of  Union"  of  1801.  In  1824  it 
brought  the  F  Street  Church  from  the  Associate  Reformed  Body 
into  the  District  of  Columbia  Presbytery. 


II.  The  Presbytery  of  the  District  of  Columbia. — 1823-1870. 

At  its  session  of  October,  1823,  the  Synod  of  Philadelphiti 
created  the  new  Presbytery  of  the  District  of  Cohimbia,  on  the 
petition  of  the  Baltimore  Pi-esbytery  for  a  division — a  request  aris- 
ing out  of  a  courteous  deference  to  the  wishes,  but  also  to  the 
growing  needs,  of  the  Churches  of  the  District.  The  population 
of  the  national  capital  had  steadily  increased,  the  country  had 
become  settled  from  the  disquietude  of  the  two  wars  through 
which  the  Churches  with  it  had  passed,  and  the  pastoral  ministra- 
tions of  the  city  had  been  those  of  increasing  promise.  In 
Georgetown,  Dr.  Balch  was  gaining  on  the  hearts  of  the  people; 
in  Washington,  Drs.  Post  and  Baker  were  receiving  many  ac- 
cessions to  their  Churches  as  the  fruits  of  pulpit  ministration  and 
frequent  pastoral  visitations,  together  with  the  time-honored 
custom,  then,  by  necessity,  happily  in  use,  of  prayer  meetings 
held  in  the  homes  of  the  congregations.  It  will  be  noticed  that, 
in  the  new  organization,  a  missionary  spirit  remembered  the  wants 
of  the  surrounding  country  districts. 

The  Synod's  order  was  that  the  Presbytery  should  consist  of 
the  following  Ministers  and  Churches,  to  be  set  off  from  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Baltimore,  viz : 

Rev.  Stephen  B.  Balch,  Pastor  of  the  Bridge-Street  Church, 
Georgetown  ;  Rev.  Reuben  Post,  oi  the  First  Church,  Washing- 
ton ;  Rev.  John  Breckenridge,  stated  supply  of  the  Bladensburg 
Church  ;  Rev.  Elias  Harrison,  Pastor  of  the  First  Church, 
Alexandria  ;  Rev.  Daniel  Baker,  of  the  Second  Church,  Wash- 
ington ;  Rev.  John  Mines,  Pastor  of  Cabin  John  and  Bethesda, 
Maryland;  Rev.  John  N.  Campbell,  assistant  of  Dr.  Balch; 
and  Rev.  William  Maffit,  Principal  of  a  school  in  Fairfax  county, 
Virginia.  Three  licentiates,  Messrs.  A.  Belt,  R.  R.  Guklet,  and 
S.  TusTiN,  were  placed  under  the  care  of  the  Presbytery. 

At  the  first  meeting  of  the  new  body  held  in  Alexandria,  May 
11,  1824,  the  Ministers,  except  Messrs.  Mines  and  Maffit,  were 
present,  with  Ruling  Elders,  J.  S.  Nevius,  Daniel  Ricketts,  James 
Moore,  and  James  S.  Handy.  Rev.  J.  Breckenridge  was  elected 
Moderator.  The  membership  of  the  Churches  represented  num- 
bered 277. 

In  the  first  year  of  its  organization   the  F  Street  Church  of 


8 

"Washington  was  received  froni  the  Second  (Associate)  Presby- 
tery of  Philadelphia,  and  the  Second  Chukch  of  Alexandria 
from  the  Presbytery  of  Winchester;  in  1829,  the  Fourth  Church, 
Washington,  then  organized.  Within  the  fourteen  years  follow- 
ing the  formation  of  the  Presbytery,  were  enrolled  as  memlxTS, 
Rev.  Dr.  James  Laurie  and  Pevs.  Wells  Andrews,  I.  L.  Skinner, 
W.  C.  Walton,  J.  N.  Danforth,  J.  C.  Smith,  Mason  Nobf^e,  E, 
C.  Hutchinson,  Dr.  W.  Hill,  and  P.  H.  Fowler.  Nine  Licenti- 
ates were  under  its  care,  the  three  alread}'  named,  and  Messrs. 
Joshua  Moore,  Edward  D.  Smith,  Eliphalet  N.  Bosworth, 
James  J.  Graff,  Flavel  S.  Mines,  and  William  McLain  ;  of 
whom  seven,  and  James  Nourse,  a  graduate  of  Princeton  Sem- 
inary, were  ordained. 

Six  pastoral  relations  were  constituted  :  For  the  Second  Alex- 
andria, two  successively ;  for  the  Second  Church,  Washington, 
one ;  for  the  Fourth  Church,  two ;  and  for  the  First  Church, 
one.  Seven  pastoral  relations  were  dissolved.  Ten  ministers 
were  dismissed  to  other  bodies. 

During  the  period  named,  the  Presbytery  went  steadily  for- 
ward in  its  appointed  work,  a  number  of  conversions  being  re- 
ported from  its  Churches  as  the  fruits  of  precious  seasons  of  re- 
freshing influence  from  on  High.  In  the  general  spirit  of  activity 
in  the  Church  at  large — in  the  work  of  Missions,  the  Bible,  Tract, 
and  Temperance  causes — it  took  commendable  share ;  sound 
doctrinal  preaching,  catechetical  instruction  in  the  family  and  the 
Sabbath-Schools,  and  earnest  pastoral  work  being  largely  owned 
by  the  Head  of  the  Church.  Li  its  first  Narrative,  prepared 
for  the  General  Assembly  of  1824,  the  Presbytery  stated  with 
thankfulness  the  organization  of  a  weekly  prayer  meeting  held 
from  Church  to  Church,  conducted  by  the  ministers  in  turn  and 
that  of  two  Sabbath-School  Unions,  one  in  Georgetown  and  one 
in  Alexandria. 

The  General  Assembly  of  1836  transferred  the  Presbytery 
from  the  Synod  of  Philadelphia  to  that  of  Virginia.  The  member- 
ship of  the  Churches  in  that  year  was  1259.  Two  ministers  had 
died.  Rev.  Professor  Maffit  in  1828  and  Rev.  Dr.  BalchIu  1833. 

The  fuller  work  of  the  body  was  now,  however,  to  be,  at  least 
partially,  interrupted  by  the  well  known  separation  of  the  Church 
at  large  into  the  Old  and  the  New  School  Assemblies  ;  here  into 
the  two  Presbyteries — the  'Potomac  and  the  District. 


For  some  years  before  the  division  of  1837-38  jnst  named, 
the  views  of  many  of  tlie  leading  men  in  tlie  whole  Church  had 
been  steadily  diverging  on  the  chief  points  of  doctrine  and  church 
polity  which  characterize  Presbyterianism.  Special  ol>jections 
were  being  more  and  more  frequently  and  urgently  raised,  also 
against  the  further  continuance  of  the  old  "  Plan  of  Union  of 
1801  "  with  the  Congregational  Association  of  Connecticut,  under 
which  it  was  now  claimed  evils  of  magnitude  in  both  doctrine 
and  polity  were  steadily  increasing  to  the  injui-y  of  the  Chui'ch 
at  large. 

Strong  Synods,  especially  in  Ohio  and  New  York,  had  grown 
up  under  this  plan  by  which  the  ministers  of  either  body  could 
serve  in  Churches  of  the  other,  the  Churches  being  represented 
III  Presbytery  by  either  Elders  or  Committee  men,  as  the  case 
might  be ;  such  representatives  of  the  Presljyteries  from  Con- 
gregational Associntions  having  seats  in  the  General  Assembly. 
When,  in  the  logic  of  events,  the  "  Old  School "'  and  the  "  New  " 
extended  themselves  throughout  the  whole  Church,  the  Presby- 
tery of  the  District  was  found  to  embrace  its  share,  though  it 
was  but  a  minority  of  the  body.  In  1839,  therefore,  when  a 
vote  was  taken  on  receiving  a  Mandate  from  the  Synod  of  Vir- 
ginia requiring  adherence  to  the  acts  of  the  Assembly  of  1837-'38, 
which  excinded  several  of  the  Northern  Synods  from  the  Church, 
the  Presbytery  divided,  Messrs.  Laurie,  Harbison,  Bosworth,  and 
Bbeckenridge  representing  their  Churches,  and  Rev.  I.  L.  Skin- 
ner and  Rev.  J.  McVean  (without  pastoral  charges)  withdrew 
from  the  body,  declining  its  further  jurisdiction. 

The  District  Presbytery  dropped  these  names  from  the  rolls, 
but  the  General  Assembly  (O.  S.)  recognized  them  as  the  true 
body,  of  that  name,  which  they  retained  until  merged  in  1841 
in  the  Presbytery  of  Baltimore.  In  1858  they  were  set  off  from 
that  Presbytery  to  form  the  new  one  of  the  Presbytery  of 
Potomac. 

For  nearly  forty  years,  therefore,  the  anomalous  condition  of 
the  churches  here,  so  long  previously  united,  was  that  of  being 
from  1839  to  1841,  some  under  one  and  some  under  the  other  of 
two  bodies,  each  claiming  the  same  old  name — designated  further 
as  O.  S.  or  N.  S. — thence  from  1841  to  1858,  of  some  being 
under  the  Baltimore  Presbytery  O.  S.;  others  under  the  District 
N.  S.;  and  thence  to  the  reunion  of  the  whole  church  in  1870, 


10 

of  some  being  under  tlie  Presbytery  of  Potomac  O.  S.,  the  ma- 
jority under  that  of  the  District  N.  S. 

From  the  date  of  the  separation,  the  spirit  of  aggression  and 
rivah'y  between  these  two  l)odies  became  apparent,  especially, 
however,  in  a  zeal  for  planting  churches  and  establishing  mis- 
sionary posis.  Continuing  the  history  of  the  Presbytery  of  the 
District,  it  is  found  that  in  common  with  otlier  churches  at  and 
near  the  seat  of  Government  it  passed  tiirough  times  of  great 
excitements  both  in  church  and  state. 

The  Mexican  war,  tlie  discovery  of  gold,  followed  by  the  ex- 
pansion of  our  territory,  and  with  it  the  agitation  of  the  slavery 
question — all  exerted  a  powerful  influence,  felt  more  sensibly  by 
the  churches  on  the  border  line  and  at  the  centre  of  the  nation 
than  in  other  sections.  During  the  long  period  of  the  years 
1838  to  the  beginning  of  the  war  in  1861,  despite  these  and 
other  adverse  circumstances,  the  Presbytery  still  put  forth  its 
vigorous  efforts  in  church  extension,  and  the  number  of  its  mem- 
bership  was  largely  increased. 

The  chief  characteristics  of  these  years  were  this  marked  ac- 
tivity in  church  extension,  supported  by  earnest  and  sound  pulpit 
and  pastoral  ministrations;  the  isolation  of  the  body  from  ecclesi- 
astical oversight  from  1857  to  1862  ;  its  depression  during  the 
war  ;  and  its  strong  loyalty  to  the  Union  throughout  that  trying 
time. 

The  spirit  of  church  extension  was  intensified  by  the  meeting 
of  the  General  Assembly  N.  S.,  in  1852,  in  Washington,  when 
a  new  impulse  in  that  direction  was  received  from  that  body. 

Isolation  from  Synodical  oversight  was  effected  as  the  result 
of  the  growing  excitement  on  the  slavery  question.  The  Com- 
missioners to  the  General  Assembly  meeting  at  Cleveland,  in 
1857,  on  the  propositions  being  there  made  touching  this  sul)ject, 
being  under  no  instructions  from  their  Presbytery,  thought  best 
to  withdraw,  and  issued  an  appeal  to  the  ministers  to  call  a  Con- 
vention looking  towards  a  new  organization.  This  resulted  in 
the  formation  of  the  "  Knoxville  Synod."  This  action,  sustained 
by  the  Synod  of  Virginia,  and  involving  the  separation  of  the 
District  Presbytery  from  the  Northern  Church,  was,  however, 
"  calmly  and  conscientiously  "  opposed  by  the  pastors  here,  no 
representation  from  the  Presbytery  again  appearing  in  the  Synod. 
No  church  extension  was  possible  during  the  war. 


11 

Between  1838  and  1857,  eighteen  ministers  were  received, 
viz :  J,  G.  Hammer,  J.  Knox,  W.  T.  Sprole,  H.  H.  Morgan, 
T.  L.  Hamner,  S.  Merrill,  E.  Ballentyne,  J.  R.  Eckard,  S. 
Washburnb,  W.  T.  Eva,  M.  Noble,  M.  Jewell,  B.  Sunderland, 
A.  D.  HoLLisTER,  E.  J.  Newlin,  J.  S.  Bartlett,  H.  Dunning, 
W.  T.  Catto.  Twenty-three  ministers  were  installed :  J.  C. 
Smith,  T.  L.  Hamner,  G.  J.  Wood,  C.  Rich,  J.  N.  Danforth, 
R.  W.  Clark,  T,  J.  Shepherd,  J.  Knox,  J.  F.  Cook,  W.  T. 
Sprole,  F.  H.  Snow,  E.  Ballentyne,  J.  R.  Eckard,  R.  A. 
Smith,  H.  Matthews,  S.  Washburne,  W.  T.  Eva,  A.  G.  Ca- 
ROTHERS,  B.  Sunderland,  E.  J.  Newlin,  T.  N.  Haskell,  H. 
Dunning,  W.  T.  Catto.  Twenty  pastoral  relations  were  dis- 
solved, and  twenty-throe  ministers  dismissed  to  otlier  bodies. 
Eleven  Licentiates  were  ordained ;  eight  candidates  for  the  min- 
istry had  been  under  the  care  of  the  Fresbytery :  R.  A.  Smith, 
C.  H.  Nourse,  F.  H.  Snow,  H.  Matthews,  J.  F.  Cook,  T.  J. 
Shepherd,  A.  G.  Carothers,  and  J,  E.  Nourse,  tlie  first  seven 
of  whom  were  ordained  ;  the  one  last  named,  by  the  Fresl)ytery 
of  Baltimore. 

From  the  year  1857  to  the  date  of  the  reunion  of  the  churches 
the  acts  of  the  Fresbytery  were  necessarily  few,  the  agitations 
of  the  whole  country  continuing  to  exert  their  influence  so  largely 
in  this  section.  Between  1857  and  1862  three  ministers,  Revs. 
T.  B.  McFalls,  J.  N.  Coombs,  and  Moses  Jewell  were  received  ; 
between  the  last-named  date  and  1868,  six.  Revs.  H.  H.  Gar- 
NETT,  T.  M.  McCann,  C.  F.  Glover,  W.  Hart,  S.  J.  Martin,  J. 
L.  French.  J.  G.  Hamner,  Jr.,  W.  B.  Evans,  and  B.  F. 
Tanner,  three  Licentiates,  were  received  and  ordained  ;  between 
1862  and  1869,  four  Licentiates,  G.  H.  Smyth,  D.  H.  Frazier, 
S.  D.  NoYES,  and  J.  Rogers  ;  of  whom  the  first  three  were  or- 
dained. 

In  the  whole  period  of  1857  to  1869  eleven  pastoral  relations 
were  constituted,  and  the  same  number  dissolved.  Nine  ministers 
were  dismissed  to  other  bodies. 

Among  the  resolutions  adopted  by  the  Fresbytery  in  1865  was 
the  significant  one  which  reads:  '■'' liesolved,  That  we  look  for- 
"  ward  with  gratitude  to  Almighty  God  to  the  approach  of  that 
"  day,  apparently  not  far  distant,  when  the  institution  of  slavery 
"  shall  cease  to  exist  in  all  lands,  and  to  that  glorious  future  when 


12 

"  all  men  shall  be  free  in  that  liberty  wherein  Clirist  makes  His 
"  people  free."  Within  the  trials  throiigli  wliich  the  churches 
passed  in  tiie  last  years  preceding  the  reunion,  a  rich  season  of 
refreshing  in  spiritual  things  was  graciously  experienced.  The 
Narrative  of  1868  said  with  thankfulness :  "  The  minds  of  men 
"  are  now  assuming  the  air  of  calm  thoughtfuhiess;  those 
"  hitherto  thoughtless  are  anxious  to  place  themselves  under  the 
"  shield  of  Him  who  hath  done  so  wondrouslj."  In  the  Fourth 
Church,  for  five  months,  a  revival  had  progressed,  resulting  in 
the  addition  of  81. hopeful  members  to  its  communion  ;  in  other 
Churclies,  also,  like  seasons  liad  l)ecn  granted  of  God.  Tiie  aggre- 
gate number  of  conversions  had  swelled  the  membership  of  the 
Presl)ytery  beyond  that  of  any  gathered  in  a  preceding  year. 

To  the  close  of  the  war  in  1865,  the  depressed  state  of  the 
Churches  was  such  as  the  troublous  times  created  ;  it  is  described 
in  the  paper  read  by  Dr.  Sunderland,  at  the  Centennial  of  Balti- 
more Presbytery,  as  a  period  when  its  "  members  were  a  mere 
"  handful  of  men  and  (until  the  re-union  with  the  Synod  of  Phila- 
"  delphia,  in  1863)  without  any  other  ecclesiastical  fraternity  or 
"  sympathy ;  moving,  as  it  were,  on  a  bridge  of  sighs  between 
"  life  and  death."  In  their  Narrative  on  the  state  of  religion 
made  to  the  Synod  in  1863,  they  said  "  Owing  to  our  geographical 
"  position,  we  have  suffered  in  our  spiritual  progress  by  the  war. 
"  The  numl)er  in  our  communion  is  not  so  large ;  we  live  in  a 
"  whirl  of  commotion.  The  District  is  the  focus  where  all  the 
"  troubles  of  the  whole  country  converge ;  consequently,  our 
"  youtli  are  led  away  from  serious  thought,  while  the  parades, 
"  the  tramp  of  armies,  and  the  news  of  battles,  almost  invariably 
"  reaching  us  on  the  Sabbath,  seriously  interfere  with  the  effi- 
"  ciency  of  preaching." 

Some  of  the  Churches,  as  is  well  known,  were  taken  possession 
of  by  the  Government  for  Hospitals  for  the  wounded  and  sick 
soldiery.  The  religion  of  the  Churches  was,  however,  called  into 
a  new  field  of  activity,  by  the  most  active  testimonies,  not  only 
of  their  patriotism,  but  of  their  charity  and  good  works  in  the 
assiduous  pliysical  and  spiritual  care  of  the  dying  and  the  sick. 

Such  was  the  doul)tful  outlook  at  the  close  of  the  year  1868, 
when  movements  were  inaugurated  for  the  reunion  of  the  Church 
at  large.    For  this  the  vote  of  the  Presbytery,  with  a  single  excep- 


13 

tioii,  was  a  hearty  "  Aye."  It  had  fulfilled  a  mission  of  widely 
extended  usefulness.  To  the  roll  of  the  six  Churches  of  which 
it  consisted  at  its  organization  in  1823  had  heen  added,  as  has 
been  shown,  the  F  Street  Church  in  1824,  and  by  organization, 
the  Fourth  Church,  Washington,  in  1829  ;  the  Sykesville,  1839 ; 
the  FiFTEEN'ra7Washington,  and  Fifth  and  the  Sixth,  Baltimore, 
in  1842  ;  the  Sharon,  at  Tenallytown,  and  the  Middlebrook  and 
PooLESviLLE,  in  Maryland,  in  1847  ;  the  Quarries  in  the  same 
State  in  1848  ;  the  Assembly's  and  Sixth  Church,  Washington, 
and  the  Green  Street,  Baltimore,  in  1853 ;  the  Western  Church, 
Washington,  in  1855  ;  in  all,  fourteen.  Of  these  the  Sixth,  Balti- 
more, and  the  Sharon  died  out.  The  Fifth,  Baltimore,  and 
Second,  Washington,  were  dropped  from  the  roll  by  their  leav- 
ing the  Presbytery.  Under  its  caro  had  been  built  the  Fourth 
Fifteenth.  Assembly's,  Sixth,  and  Western  in  Washington,  and, 
by  its  aid,  largely  those  in  the  adjacent  country. 

Of  the  Ministers  who  were  the  first  members  at  its  organiza- 
tion. Rev.  Professor  Maffit  had  died  in  1828,  Dr.  Balch  in 
1833,  Breckenridge  in  1844,  Mines  in  1849,  Baker  in  1857, 
Post  in  1858,  Harrison  in  1863,  and  Campbell  in  1864  ;  to 
whose  names  must  be  added  in  memoriam,  also,  those  of  S. 
Washburne,  Moderator,  in  1853  ;  Rev.  Thomas  L.  Hamner,  the 
successful  worker  in  the  Sabbath-School  cause,  1854 ;  Rev.  John 
F.  Cook,  teacher  and  Pastor  of  the  Fifteenth  Street  Church 
(colored),  1855  ;  Rev.  Joshua  Danforth,  successively  Pastor  of 
the  Fourth  Church,  Washington,  and  of  the  Second  Church, 
Alexandria,  1862  ;  Rev.  A.  G.  Carothers,  Pastor  of  the  Assem- 
bly's Church  at  its  organization,  who  died  in  the  West  Indies  in 
the  vain  search  for  renewed  health,  1863  ;  Rev.  Moses  Jewell, 
1864;   Rev.  A.   D.  Hollister,  1865  ;    Rev.  H.  Dunning,  1 8^^^ 


II.  The  Presbytery  of  Potomac. — 1858-1870. 

In  1858  the  Old  Scliool  Churches  in  Washington  and  its  vicinity 
were  feeling  more  and  more  the  pressing  need  of  a  new  organiza- 
tion to  have  more  immediate  and  local  care  of  their  interests  and 
those  of  the  neighboring  counties  in  Maryland  and  Virginia, 
where  they  desired  to  extend  their  efforts.  The  Synod  of  Balti- 
more cordially  created  the  Presbytery  of  Potomac,  thus  separat- 
ing from  it  the  ministers  who,  with  tlieir  Churches,  had  been 
merged,  as  has  been  shown,  in  that  of  Baltimore  for  the  previous 
four  years. 

The  order  of  the  Synod  was  that  the  Ministers  composing  the 
new  Presbytery  and  its  congregations  should  be  those  of  the  Bal- 
timore body  within  tlie  territory  bounded  by  a  line  from  the 
mouth  of  the  Potomac,  and  with  it  to  the  northern  boundary  of 
Montgomery  county,  Maryland  ;  thence  along  the  northern  and 
Eastern  boundaries  of  that  and  of  Anne  Arnndel  counties  to  Elk- 
ridge  landing ;  thence  to  the  mouth  of  the  Severn ;  and  thence 
along  Chesapeake  Bay  to  the  point  of  beginning.  The  Presby- 
tery thus  constituted  consisted  of  Ministers,  J.  J.  Graff,  P.  D. 

GUELEY,  S.  TuSTIN,  J.  E.   NoUESE,  D.  MoTZEE,  J.  H.  BococK,  B. 

F.  BiTTiNGEE,  and  J.  E.  Walton — with  the  churches  of  F  Steeet, 
the  Second,  and  Seventh,  Washington  ;  Beidge  Street,  George- 
town ;  Annapolis,  Neelsville,  Daenestown,  Bladensburg,  and 
West  River  in  Maryland.  A  small  beginning ;  only  eight  min- 
isters, several  of  them  without  pastoral  charge,  and  only  two 
churches  of  tinancial  or  numerical  strength. 

The  Presbytery  was  not  disheartened.  At  its  first  meeting, 
November  30th  of  the  same  year,  its  two  earliest  acts  were  the  ap- 
pointment of  a  Committee  on  assessments,  and  the  adoption  of 
a  resolution  that  every  minister  should  spend,  in  the  intervals  of 
the  stated  meetings,  at  least  one  Sabbatli  in  missionary  labor. 

The  earliest  result  of  this  last  named  act  wastlie  revival  and  con- 
tinuance of  Presbyterian  services  at  Laurel,  Maryland. 

The  next  year,  the  Synod  transferred  to  the  Presbytery  that 
part  of  the  territory  of  Winchester  Presbytery  comprising  the 
counties  of  Alexandria,  Fairfax,  Loudoun,  Prince  William,  Staf- 
ford, Fauquier,  King  George,  Westmoreland,  Richmond,  North- 


15 

umberland  and  Lancaster ;  thus  adding  the  following  ten  Minis- 
ters :  T.  B.  Baloh,  E.  Harrison,  C.  B.  McKee,  R.  S.  Bell,  E. 
B.  Smith,  A.  M.  Hershey,  J.  W.  Pugh,  A.  D.  Pollock,  T.  S. 
Witherow  and  J.  B.  Davis  ;  with  the  Churches  of  First  Alex- 
andria, First  Prince  William,  Lewinsville,  Greenwich,  War- 
RENTON,  Yellow  Chapel,  Rappahannock,  Salem,  and  Lovetts- 
viLLE,  in  Yirginia,  and  Bethesda,  in  Maryland.  In  the  same 
year,  the  union  of  the  F  Street  and  the  Second  Church,  Wash- 
ington, into  the  New  York  Avenue  Church,  largely  increased 
the  influence  of  Presbyterianism  in  the  national  Capital,  and  by 
the  wealth,  activity  and  missionary  spirit  of  this  new  organiza- 
tion extended  the  efforts  of  the  Presbytery  in  its  missionary 
work. 

The  rapidly  growing  excitement  of  the  slavery  question,  how- 
ever, and  its  culmination  in  the  approaching  contest  between  the 
North  and  the  South,  for  a  time  arrested  all  possible  further 
church  extension,  and  brought  the  loss  of  the  territory  trans- 
ferred by  the  Synod  in  1859. 

The  Minutes  of  the  Presbytery  of  September,  1861,  record 
that  at  that  appointed  day  for  the  meeting  of  the  Presbytery  two 
ministers  only.  Revs.  Dr.  Gurley  and  Bittinger,  were  present 
to  respond  to  the  roll  call ;  and  two  Churches  only  were  repre- 
sented by  Elders.  It  was  afterwards  learned  that  the  members 
of  the  body  residing  in  Yirginia  held  a  meeting  on  the  same  day 
at  Greenwich,  to  which  the  Presbytery  had  adjourned  from  its 
previous  meeting. 

These  Ministers  claimed  that  theirs  was  the  true  body.  The 
Synod  decided  that,  under  the  circumstances,  the  suspension  of 
all  intercourse  between  the  District  and  Yirginia  by  the  begun 
hostilities,  the  meeting  in  Washington  was  justified,  and  the  true 
Presbytery  had  met  there ;  but  all  questions  as  to  this  were  vir- 
tually settled  by  the  continued  separation  of  the  two  sections  of 
country  and  by  the  war. 

Yery  soon  after  the  happy  cessation  of  the  civil  contest,  the 
loss  of  the  Yirginia  territory  was  repaired.  New  activities  were 
aroused.  In  1864,  the  present  Metropolitan  Church  effort  was 
begun,  even  under  the  war-cloud  sliadows,  and  its  organization  of 
a  church  of  rapidly  increasing  promise,  effected  first  under  the 
name  of  the  Capitol  Hill   Church,  April  11th   of  that  year. 


16 

The  North  Church  organization  followed  in  1865.  In  Maryland, 
under  Rev,  J.  S.  H.  Henderson,  the  Church  at  Darnestown  was 
revived.  In  Fairfax  county,  Virginia,  Rev.  H.  P.  Dechert 
gathered  l)ack  the  congregation  at  the  historic  Church  of  Lewins- 
ville,  and  effected  an  organization  at  Falls  Church.  In  Prince 
William  county,  under  Rev.  J.  E.  Nourse,  the  First  Prince 
William  Church  was  restord,  regular  services  held,  and  a  new 
organization  and  house  of  worship  secured  at  Manassas.  The 
rolls  of  the  Churches  in  1866  showed  an  increase  of  membership 
from  679  in  1859  to  1,272. 

The  position  of  the  Presbytery  in  relation  to  the  national 
struggle  had  not  been  without  true  and  unmistakable  deliver- 
ance. 

In  May,  1862,  resolutions  introduced  by  Rev.  Dr.  Tustin  were 
unanimously  passed,  affirming,  in  substance,  that  all  wise  and 
good  Governments  are  the  product  of  the  power  and  wisdom  of 
God  ;  that  the  Government  of  the  United  States  is  eminently 
the  off-spring  of  His  abounding  grace ;  that,  in  the  opinion  of 
the  Presbytery,  the  uprising  of  the  people  who  desired  to  over- 
turn it  was  an  act  of  wrong  and  fully ;  tliat  it  heartily  approved 
the  measures  of  the  President  taken  to  preserve  unimpaired  the 
legacy  of  our  fathers ;  and  that  its  deepest  gratitude  was  due  to 
the  Great  Ruler  of  Nations  for  His  guidance  and  protection  dur- 
ing the  contest,  for  which  the  Presbytery  would  continue  ever  to 
pray  until  the  return  of  peace  should  bring  again  a  united  and 
happy  people. 

During  tlie  years  1859  to  1870  were  added  to  the  eight  minis- 
ters who  had  formed  the  Presbytery  in  1858  :  April  25,  1859, 
Rev.  E.  BoswoRTH,  from  the  Presbytery  of  Baltimore  ;  1862, 
May  8,  Rev.  F.  T.  Brown,  from  that  of  Western  Reserve,  and 
W.  Y.  Brown,  from  that  of  Carlisle;  October  12th,  J.  S.  H. 
Henderson,  from  the  same  ;  13th,  H.  Snyder,  from  that  of  Roa- 
noke ;  in  1864,  April  11th,  Rev.  J.  Chester,  from  the  Presby- 
tery of  Burlington  ;  November  4th,  W.  W.  Campbell,  from  that 
of  West  Virginia;  in  1865,  April  11,  J.  R.  Fisher,  from  tliat  of 
Buffalo;  May  1st,  G.  H.  Hair,  from  that  of  White  Water; 
June  16tli,  A.  A.  E.  Taylor,  from  that  of  Dubuque;  October 
4th,  W.  B.  Evans,  from  that  of  the  District  of  Columbia  ;  De- 
cember 5th,  L.  R.  Fox,  from  that  of  Burlington ;  in  1866,  April 


17 

5th,  S.  J.  Baird  and  W.  T.  VanDoren,  from  tlie  Presbytery  of 
West  Jersey  arid  from  the  Classis  of  Michigan  ;  September  13th, 
G.  H.  McCampbell,  from  the  Presbytery  of  New  Albany ;  in 
1867  (J.  E.  NouRSE  and  B.  F.  Bittinger,  who  had  been  for  a  time 
under  the  Presbytery  of  Baltimore) ;  in  1868,  T,  G.  Murphey, 
from  that  of  Lewes;  in  1869,  S.  S.  Mitchell,  from  that  of  Car- 
lisle; in  1870,  February  25th,  D.  W.  Moffat,  from  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Madison.  Thirteen  Ministers  had  been  dismissed  to 
other  bodies.  * 

In  April,  1870,  the  total  membership  of  the  Churches  of  the 
Presbytery  was  but  1,094.  The  losses  had  occurred  by  removals, 
deaths,  and  the  revision  of  the  rolls.  In  the  Narrative  on  the 
state  of  religion  of  that  year  the  report  to  the  Synod  said  the 
Presbyter}^  looked  with  earnest  hope  that,  in  the  additional 
strength  of  the  contemplated  reunion,  it  would  be  permitted  to 
accomplish  more  for  tlie  glory  of  the  Redeemer.  Its  final  meeting 
was  held  June  9,  1870.  For  the  reunion  of  the  two  bodies  it  had 
been  for  some  time  heartily  desirous.  In  1863  it  had  made  over- 
tures for  this  in  the  way  of  uniting  with  the  District  Presbytery 
in  missionary  work ;  in  the  year  following  it  passed  a  resolution 
favoring  reunion.  Its  most  influential  pastor,  Kev.  Dr.  Gdrley, 
was  one  of  the  Committee  conferring  on  it  with  that  appointed 
by  New  School  Assembly  of  1868.  The  consolidation  into  the 
Washington  City  Presbytery  made  June  30th  was  cordially  ac- 
cepted. The  two  were  made  one  in  Christian  fellowship  and 
labor. 


III.     The    Presbytery  of  Washington  City.--i87o-i888. 

The  period  of  about  tliirt^'-tliree  years  daring  which  the 
two  Pieshjteries  had  been  virtually  separated  had  ]>een  one 
of  momentous  interest  in  l)oth  church  and  state.  The  in- 
fluence of  the  excitements  of  the  war  at  home  and  of  the  politi- 
cal changes  abroad  marked  itself  notal)ly  on  all  branches  of  the 
Church  here ;  especially  did  the  wide  openings  for  the  spread  of 
tlie  gospel  and  the  spirit  of  union  and  communion,  freshly  awak- 
ened among  Christians,  betoken  a  day  of  promise.  These  influ- 
ences received  within  the  Presbyteries  a  further  and  grateful  im- 
pulse arising  from  the  salvation  of  the  Government  and  the  re- 
union of  the  States.  The  times  were  ripe  for  the  consolidation 
of  which  mention  has  been  made. 

The  organization  of  the  united  body  as  ordered  by  the  Synod 
of  Baltimore  under  the  direction  of  the  United  General  Assem- 
bly of  May,  1870,  was  effected  in  the  Bridge  Street  Church, 
June  20th  of  the  year,  the  opening  prayer  being  offered  by  Dr.  S. 
TusTiN,  the  oldest  ordained  Minister  present,  and  the  Moderator 
elected  being  Dr.  J.  C.  Smith.  The  flrst  Stated  Clerk  was  Rev. 
T.  B.  MgFalls. 

The  Ministers  enrolled  in  the  order  of  their  ordinations  were 
Drs.  S.  Tdstin,  J.  C.  Smith,  T.  W.  Simpson  and  W.  McLain  ; 
Revs,  W.  T.  VanDoren  and  J.  S.  H.  Henderson  ;  Drs.  Byron 
Sunderland  and  B.  F.  Bittinger,  Revs.  T.  G.  Murphy,  J.  N. 
Coombs,  J.  E.  Nourse  ;  Rev.  T.  B.  McFalls,  Dr.  J.  Chester,  D. 
W.  Moffat,  J.  L.  French,  W.  Hart,  L.  R.  Fox  and  S.  S. 
Mitchell. 

The  following-named  Churches  were  enrolled :  Bladensburg 
(now  Hyattsville),  Bridge  Street  (now  West  Street),  New 
York  Avenue,  First,  Fourth,  Fifteenth  St.,  Sixth,  Assembly's, 
Seventh  (now  Westminster),  Western,  Metropolitan,  and 
North  Churches,  Washington  ;  First  Prince  •  William,  Ma- 
nassas and  Clifton  and  the  Cliurches  among  the  Freedmen  in 
Virginia;  Neelsville  and  Darnestown,  Montgomery  county, 
Md. 

At  the  date  of  this  reunion  of  the  Presbyteries,  their  total 
membership  reported  to  the  General  Assembly  was  2,893,  viz : 


19 

of  the  District  body,  1,799;  of  the  Potomac,  1,094,  The  num- 
ber of  tlie  Churches  (inchiding  those  among  the  freedmen  under 
the  District  Presbytery)  was  about  equal.  These  totals  may  be 
taken  as  a  standpoint  from  which  the  present  state  of  the  united 
body  may  be  considered. 

The  meetings  during  the  next  five  years  were  frequent,  and 
the  roll  of  the  Presbytery  much  enlarged.  Within  the  decade, 
to  1880,  were  received  from  other  Presley teries  and  by  ordina- 
tions, the  ministers  whose  names  here  follow :  In  1870,  from  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  Rev.  L.  Dobson  ;  from  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Cincinnati,  Dr.  C.  B,  Boynton  ;  and  from  that  of  Iowa 
City,  Rev.  A.  Fairley  ;  in  1871,  from  the  Presbytery  of  New 
Brunswick,  Rev.  C.  R.  Von  Romondt  ;  from  that  of  Brooklyn, 
New  York,  Rev.  Mason  Noble;  from  Newcastle  Presbytery, 
Rev.  C.  Beach  ;  from  the  Congregational  Association  of  Dubuque, 
W,  H.  Rice  ;  from  the  Presbytery  of  Morris  and  Orange,  W. 
Bradley  ;  and  by  ordination,  D.  H  Riddle  and  W.  McAttee  : 
in  1872,  from  the  Presbytery  of  Holston,  Tennessee,  Rev,  J.  G. 
Mason;  and  by  ordination,  W.  H.  Logan:  in  1873,  from  the 
Presbytery  of  Binghampton,  N.  Y,,  Dr,  S,  H.  Howe  ;  from  that 
of  Sacramento,  California,  J.  Brown  ;  from  that  of  Whitewater, 
Indiana,  Rev.  G.  O,  Little  ;  from  that  of  Chester,  Pennsylvania, 
Rev.  L.  Westcott:  in  1874,  from  the  Presbytery  of  Chesapeake, 
Rev.  C.  H.  NocRSE ;  from  that  of  Utica,  Rev.  G.  Van  Deurs  ; 
and  by  ordination.  Rev.  J,  T.  Kelly:  in  1875,  from  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Niagara,  N.  Y,,  Rev.  J,  Odell  ;  from  that  of  New 
York,  Rev,  H,  P,  Dechert  ;  from  that  of  Marion,  Georgia,  Dr, 
D,  Wills;  from  that  of  Buffalo,  Rev,  P,  H,  Burghardt;  and 
by  ordination,  J,  A,  Carmichael,  G.  B,  Patch,  and  C,  B.  Rams- 
dell  :  in  1876,  from  the  Presbytery  of  Otsego,  N.  Y.,  Rev.  8, 
MuRDocK  :  in  1877,  from  that  of  Cleveland,  Ohio,  Rev,  N,  Cobb  ; 
and  from  that  of  Saginaw,  Michigan,  Rev.  A,  McSween  :  in 
1878,  Revs,  C,  W,  Landau,  from  the  Presbytery  of  Hudson, 
New  York ;  T,  S,  Wynkoop,  from  that  of  Allahabad,  Indiana ; 
Rev.  J.  R,  Paxton,  from  tliat  of  Carlisle,  Pennsylvania ;  and  by 
ordination,  F.  I.  Grimke,  F,  M.  Todd,  and  A.  J.  Henry, 

Within  the  years  of  the  present  decade  have  been  received 
from  the  Presbytery  of  New  York,  Rev.  J.  G.  Craighead,  in 
1880  ;    in  1881,  Rev.  C.  Noble,  from  the  Congregational  As- 


20 

sociation  of  Washington  City;  E.  H.  Cdmpston,  from  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Winchester  ;  A.  Poulson,  from  that  of  Philadelphia 
Central  ;  and  C.  Herk,  L.  Miller,  and  H.  Unglaub,  by  ordina- 
tion ;  in  1882,  Revs.  IS.  S.  Wallkn,  from  the  Presbytery  of 
Huntington,  Pennsylvania  ;  Drs.  W.  A.  Bartlett  and  J.  Dud- 
ley, from  tbat  of  Indian;ipolis  ;  Dr.  C.  11.  A.  Buckley,  from 
that  of  Champlain,  New  York  ;  in  1883,  Dr.  T.  S.  Childs,  from 
the  Presbytery  of  Westchester,  N.  Y. ;  J.  M.  Noukse,  from  that 
of  Athens,  Ohio  ;  and  by  ordination,  H.  Clarke;  in  1884,  Dr. 
T.  FuLLERTON,  from  the  Presbytery  of  Erie,  Pennsylvania;  W.  J. 
McIlvain,  from  that  of  Baltimore ;  E.  Peck,  from  that  of 
Otsego,  N.  Y. ;  and  by  ordination,  F.  M.  Bdrdick  ;  in  1885, 
C.  H.  Raymond,  from  the  Presbytery  of  Indianapolis,  and  D.  L. 
Rathbun,  from  that  of  Baltimore  ;  in  1886,  Dr.  T.  S.  Hamlin, 
from  that  of  Cincinnati  ;  W.  H.  Edwards,  from  that  of  New- 
castle, and  G.  P.  Van  Wyck,  from  that  of  Topeka,  Kansas  ; 
in  1887,  J.  R.  Riley,  from  that  of  Louisville,  Kentucky  ; 
R.  H.  Fleming,  from  that  of  Winchester ;  M.  P.  Snell,  from 
the  Congregational  Association  of  Washington  City  ;  S.  F.  He;r- 
SHEY,  from  the  Presbytery  of  Dayton  ;  and  by  ordination,  Mar- 
tin Holmes.     The  whole  number  has  been  thus  63. 

Since  the  organization  of  the  Presljytery  have  been  dismissed 
to  other  bodies :  In  1870,  Rev.  J.  H.  Beckwith,  W.  Hart,  and 
W.  Stryker;  in  1871,  L.  R.  Fox;  in  1872,  Dr.  D.  W.  Moffat; 
in  1873,  W.  H.  Rhoberts  and  W.  B.  Waller;  in  1874,  B.  A. 
Williamson,  L.  Dobson,  and  W.  H.  Logan  ;  in  1875,  W.  A. 
McAttee  and  Dr.  C.  B.  Boynton  ;  in  1876,  W.  H.  Rice  and 
W.  D.  Roberts  ;  in  1877,  J.  G.  Mason,  J.  A.  Carmichael,  and 
J.  Brown  ;  in  1878,  J.  R.  Henderson,  L.  R.  Johnson,  and  Dr. 
S.  S.  Mitchell  ;  in  1879,  F.  Clendenin,  W.  E.  Carr;  in  1880, 
S.  M.  Bpjach  and  G.  T,  Jennings;  in  1881,  S.  Murdock,  W, 
Emery,  and  C.  Noble;  in  1882,  E.  Warren,  J.  R.  Paxton,  C. 
JoELL,  H.  N.  Brown,  and  A.  G.  Davis;  in  1883,  H.  Unglaub, 
C.  Herr,  C.  Dillard,  and  S.  H.  Howe  ;  in  1884,  D.  Wills, 
Jr.,  C.  R.  Yon  Romondt,  H.  Clarke  ;  in  1885,  S.  S.  Wallen 
and  F.  J.  Grimke  ;  in  1886,  R.  D.  Harlan,  S.  S.  Walle;n,  and 
E.  A.  Lowe  ;  in  1887,  W.  Chester,  Dr.  D.  Wills,  R.  H.  Flem- 
ing, and  J.  P.  Foster.  Of  these,  14  only  were  Pastors  or 
Stated  Supplies,  the  remainder  being  either  Licentiates  or  can- 
didates for  the  Ministry. 


21 

The  following  Churches  have  been  organized :  (.lifton,  Va., 
1870,  GuRLEY  Mission,  Washington,  1871  ;  Falls  Church, 
Yirginin,  February  3,  1873;  Vienna,  Virginia,  November  16, 
1873;  Hermon,  Maryland,  January  5,  1874;  Eastern,  Wash- 
ington City,  D.  C,  May  19,  1875;  Boyd's  Station,  Maryland, 
May  13,  1877  ;  Zion  Evangelical,  Washington  City,  D.  C; 
Oak  Grove,  Virginia,  September  25th,  1881  ;  Unity,  Washing- 
ton City,  D.  C,  April  15,  1882 ;  Mount  Hkrmon,  Virginia, 
September  3,  1882;  and  Church  of  the  Covenant,  Washing- 
ton City,  D.  C,  October  13,  1885. 

Between  the  dates  of  June  20,  1870,  and  the  close  of  the  year 
1887,  the  following  installations  were  made :  In  1870,  October 
6th,  Rev.  C.  B.  Boynton  over  the  Assembly's  Church,  6th 
street;  in  1871,  April  25th,  Rev.  D.  H.  Riddle,  Falls  Church, 
Virginia ;  May  10th,  W.  A.  McAtbe,  First  Alexandria  ; 
October  30th,  C.  Beach,  Darnestown,  Maryland ;  in  1872, 
October  8th,  J.  G.Mason,  North  Church;  in  1873,  June  9th, 
G.  Little,  Assembly  Church,  and  J.  Brown,  Lewinsville, 
Fairfax  county,  Virginia;  in  1874,  May  4th,  J.  T.  Kelly, 
Fourth  Church  ;  May  10th,  G.  VanDeurs,  15th  St.  Church  ; 
in  1875,  May  9tli,  Dr.  D.  Wills,  Western  Church  ;  June  18th, 
J.  Odell,  Lewinsville,  Fairfax  county,  Virginia ;  June  20th, 
J.  Brown,  15th  Street;  November  1st,  G.  B.  Patch,  Eastern 
Church  ;  December  13th,  C.  B.  Ramsdell,  North  Church  ;  in 
1878,  June  11th,  G.  W.  Landau,  Zion  Evangelical;  July  7th,  F. 
J.  Grimke,  15th  Street  Church  ;  October  23d,  T.  S.  Wynkoop, 
Western  Church  ;  October  27th,  F.  M.  Todd,  Manassas, 
Prince  William  county,  Virginia ;  November  10th,  J.  R.  Paxton, 
N.  Y.  Avenue  ;  in  1879,  June  8th,  S.  H.  Howe,  West  Street, 
Georgetown  ;  in  1881,  October  17th,  H.  Unglaub,  Zion  Evan- 
gelical ;  in  1882,  April  10th,  S.  S.  Wallen,  Eastern  Church; 
April  19th,  G.  B.  Patch,  Unity  Church  ;  October  24th,  W.  A. 
Bartlett,  N.  Y.  Avenue  ;  in  1883,  April  24th,  H.  Clark, 
Lewinsville  and  Vienna  ;  November  14th,  J.  M.  Nourse, 
Darnestown  Church,  Montgomery  county,  Maryland;  in  1884, 
February  13th,  E.  Peck,  Eastern  Church;  April  23d,  F.  H. 
Burdick,  6th  Church  ;  in  1885,  October  15th,  W.  J.  McIlyain, 
Hyattsville  Church,  Prince  George  county,  Maryland;  October 
28th,  D.  L.  Rathbun,  Darnestown,  Maryland ;  November  4th, 


22 

Dr.  T.  Fdlleeton,  West  Street,  Georgetown  ;  in  1886,  Oc- 
tober 12th,  W,  H.  Edwards,  Lewinsville  and  Vienna  ;  No- 
vember 9th,  Dr.  T.  S.  Hamlin,  Church  of  the  Covenant  ;  in 
1887,  January  18th,  J.  R.  Riley,  15th  Street;  October  18th, 
S.  F.  Hershey,  6th  Church. 

In  all  35  pastoral  relations  were  constituted,  of  Avhich  to  the 
date  of  December  27,  1 887,  twenty  have  been  dissolved  ;  a  large 
number,  but  accounted  for  chiefly  by  the  fluctuating  character  of 
the  resident  population  of  the  city,  so  many  of  our  Church 
members  being  in  the  employ  of  the  changing  Government 
oflices,  and  thus  preventing  the  desired  permanence  of  our  Con- 
g  regations. 

Since  the  organization  of  the  Presbytery  the  following  Minis- 
ters have  died  :  Dr.  John  C.  Smith,  January  23, 1878,  at  the  age 
of  78  ;  Dr.  Septimus  Tustin,  October  28,  1871,  aged  67  ;  R.  R. 
Gurley,  July  30,  1872,  aged  75;  Dr.  William  McClain, 
1873,  aged  68  ;  T.  B.  McFalls,  May  22,  1873,  aged  38  ;  John 
N.  Coombs,  December  27,  1874,  aged  58  ;  Charles  H.  Nourse, 
July  14,  1876,  aged  58  ;  T.  C.  Murphy,  January  9,  1878,  aged 
61 ;  Lorenzo  Westcott,  June  5,  1878,  aged  50  ;  Mason  Noble, 
October  24,  1881,  aged  72;  James  S.  H.  Henderson,  August 
17,  1882,  aged  67;  E.  H.  Cumpston,  January  1,  1885,  aged  71 ; 
William  T.  Vandoren,  December  20,  1885,  aged  66  ;  P.  H. 
BuRGHARDT,  July  22,  1886,  aged  75 ;  C.  H.  Raymond,  October 
30,  1886,  aged  68  ;  and  the  following,  the  dates  of  whose  deaths 
and  ages  have  not  been  available  for  record  :  Rev.  H.  P.  Dech- 
ERT,  Ward  Batchelor,  and  C.  M.  Parks.     In  all  18. 

The  goodl}'^  age  to  which  nearly  all  of  tliese  were  spared  for 
the  work  of  the  Kingdom  will  be  observed,  and  it  is  their  record 
that  all  were  employed  in  this  to  the  close  of  life.  The  distress- 
ing circumstances  of  the  mental  aberration  causing  the  decease 
of  Rev.  J.  N.  Coombs  are  well  known. 

Durii*ig  the  eighteen  years  of  the  Presbytery,  the  number  of 
its  ministers  increased  from  19  to  35  ;  of  Communicants  from 
2,839  to  4,776  ;  of  Sabbath-School  membership  from  3,124  to 
6,153;  of  contributions  to  benevolent  objects  from  $6,445  to 
$12,799  ;  of  sums  reported  under  the  head  of  "  Congregational " 
from  $50,190  to  $119,226.  The  Presbytery  now  consists  of  34 
Ministers,  and  has  under  its  care  32   Churches,  connected  with 


28 

which   are  4,776    Communicants ;  118  Ruling  Elders ;  55    Dea- 
cons ;  4  Licentiates,  and  14  Candidates  for  the  gospel  ministry. 

If  from  the  roll  of  the  thirty-two  Churches  reported  to  the 
Synod  of  1887,  those  are  excepted  which  have  never  settled  a 
pastor,  viz.,  Neelsville  and  its  outgrowth  Boyd's  Station,  and 
Hermon  in  Maryland  ;  and  First  Prince  William  and  Clifton, 
Virginia;  and  if  further  exception  be  made  of  those  among  the 
Freedmen  in  Amelia  County,  Virginia,  of  which  Churches  no 
definite  accounts  have  been  found  available,  the  efficient  strength 
of  the  Presbytery  is  more  correctly  considered  as  that  of  twenty- 
one  pastoral  relations.  Nine  Ministers  are  without  charge, 
though  frequently  in  service. 

During  the  period  of  1870  to  1888  a  proper  zeal  for  the  Sanct- 
uary has  prompted  the  erection  of  ten  church  edifices,  viz.:  Met- 
ropolitan, West  Street,  Eastern,  Unity,  and  Chdrch  of  the 
Covenant,  Washington  ;  and  Manassas,  Vienna,  Clifton,  Boyd 
Station,  Hermon,  and  Falls  Church,  in  the  adjacent  counties. 
It  has  also  prompted  the  enlargement  or  beautifying  of  an  equal 
number,  viz.,  those  of  the  New  York  Avenue,  Fourth  Church, 
Westminster,  North,  Western,  Metropolitan,  West  Street, 
Washington  ;  and  Lewinsville,  Hyattsville  and  Clifton. 

•  A  proper  account  of  the  benevolent  work  of  the  Churches  un- 
der the  care  of  the  Presbytery  includes  the  contributions  of  the 
Women's  Societies  to  tliis  object.  By  the  kindness  of  Mrs.  M. 
A.  Boyd,  Treasurer  of  the  Women's  Society  for  Home  Missions, 
the  statement  is  recorded  that  "  The  first  money  received  from 
"  the  Women  of  Washington  City  Presbytery  came  from  the 
"  First  Church  June  26th,  1879,  and  the  sums  for  the  years  fol- 
"  lowing  were  as  follows:  In  1879  to  1880,  $534;  1880  to  1881, 
"  $620.69  ;  1881  to  1882,  $594.95  ;  1882  to  1883,  $703.86  ;  1883 
«  to  1884,  $1,098.10  ;  1884  to  1885,  $1,543.47 ;  1885  to  1886,  $2,- 
"  246,36;  1886  to  1887,  $2,362.47;  1887  to  January  1st,  1888, 
"  $1,101.94— or  in  all,  to  the  close  of  the  third  quarter  of  the 
"  year  1887,  $10,805.84. 

By  the  kindness  of  Mrs.  Julia  M.  Fishburne,  Treasurer  of  the 
Woman's  Foreign  Missionary  Society,  has  also  been  received  the 
following  account  of  the  contributions  to  that  object,  viz : 

"  So  far  as  I  can  learn  the  first  receipt  from  Washington  was 
"  in  1875,  $500.00;  in  1876,  $400.00 ;  in  1877,  $500.00.     This 


24 

"  brings  it  to  the  organization  of  the  Presbyterian  Society,  1878- 
"  1879.  The  smns  received  since  that  date  have  been  for  the 
"year  ending  May,  1879,  $179.00;  1880,  $1,103.26;  1881, 
"$1,067.56;  1882,  $761.22  ;  1883,  $1,169.63;  1884,  $983.87; 
"  1885,  $1,332.76;  1886,  $1,196.99  ;  1887,  $1,882.53  ;  or  in  all, 
"  from  1879  to  January  1,  1887,  $9,876.72. 

In  the  Minutes  of  the  Synod  of  Baltimore,  of  1887,  will  be 
found  in  the  Report  of  the  Synod's  Women's  Committee  on 
Home  Missions,  the  statement  for  Home  Missions,  that  "  Gifts 
"  from  the  Washington  City  Presbytery  had  amounted  to 
"  $2,383.66,  and  in  boxes  to  $662.30.  There  are  22  Auxiliaries 
"  and  8  Bands  out  of  the  32  Churches,  six  of  the  remaining 
"  churches  being  among  the  Freedraen,  and  under  the  Freed- 
"  men's  Board.  There  are  but  four  where  further  organizations 
"  may  be  looked  for.  " 

In  the  same  Minutes  will  also  be  found  the  statement  as  to 
Women's  AVork  for  Foreign  Missions,  that  the  receipts  for  the 
year  ending  March,  1887,  were  $2,103.63.  The  Committee  of 
the  Synod  in  their  report  on  tlie  state  of  religion  for  the  same 
year,  speak  of  "  the  decided  increase  in  both  the  numbers  and 
the  gifts  received  by  these  two  societies." 

The  Presbytery  has,  for  some  years,  maintained  a  deep  interest 
in  the  instructions  received  by  the  young  men  at  the  Howard 
University.  Two  of  our  members,  Pev.  Charles  H.  A.  Buckley, 
D.D.,  and  Pev.  J.  G.  Craighead,  D.D.,  liold  chairs  as  professors 
in  the  University.  To  its  fund§  our  Churches  also  contribute, 
A  number  of  its  graduates  are  in  the  ministry  of  our  Churches. 

This  imperfect  Memorial  of  the  Presbytery  may  prompt  in  the 
minds  and  hearts  of  its  readers  the  reflections,  among  others,  that, 
although  an  extended  and  useful  work  has  been  carried  on, 
"  much  lands  remain  to  be  possessed."  The  rapidly  advancing 
population  of  this  great  city  assuredly  calls  for  greater  corre- 
sponding Church  extension  by  all  our  Evangelical  denomina- 
tions. The  Association  recently  formed  under  the  auspices  of 
the  Presbytery  embraces  within  it  much  of  promise  for  tiiis  end. 

The  number  of  Ministers  enrolled  in  the  several  Presbyteries 
herein  named  reaches  closely  tlie  figures  140.  Of  these,  a  large 
majority  have  been  candidates  or  Licentiates,  who  have  located 
beyond  our  bounds.     A  large  majority  have  passed  to  their  re- 


25 

ward  on  high.  The  attention  of  Pastors  and  of  Christian  parents 
may  he  invoked  for  an  increase  in  the  number  of  the  baptized 
children  of  the  Covenant  to  be  consecrated  from  their  youth  to 
the  Ministry.  The  Societies  forming  in  the  several  Churches 
among  our  yourtg  people  are  a  happy  token  of  good  for  this. 

Officers  of  the  Pkesbytery. — Moderator,  Tennis  S.  Ham- 
lin, D.  D.',  Stated  Clerk,  B.  F.  Bittinger,  D.  D. 

Home  Missions.— T.  S.  Childs,  D.  D.,  Kev.  J.  E.  Nourse,  B. 
F.  Bittinger,  D.  D.,  John  Chester,  D.  D.;  Ruling  Elders :  Wm. 
Ballantyne,  C.  H.  Carrington. 

Foreign  Missions. — Rev.  J.  W.  Mcllvain,  Rev.  T.  S.  Wyn- 
koop.  Rev.  J.  Dudley ;  R.  E.:  W.  H.  H.  Warman. 

Church  Erection. — Rev.  George  O.  Little,  Rev.  D.  Riddle, 
Rev.  I).  S.  Rathbun  ;  R.  E.:  J.  H.  Meriwether. 

Publication  and  S.  School  Work. — Rev.  J.  M.  Nourse,  Rev. 
E.  Peck  ;  R.  E.:  T.  Swazey. 

Education. — Rev.  G.  B.  Patch,  Rev.  J.  M.  Nourse  ;  R.  E.: 
S.  L.  Crissey. 

Freedmen.— T.  S.  Hamlin,  D.  D.,  W.  A.  Bartlett,  D.  D.;  R. 
E.:  Commodore  J.  W.  Easby. 

Ministerial  Relief. — Rev.  J.  T.  Kelly,  Rev.  F.  M.  Todd, 
Rev.  S.  F.  Hershey,  Ph.  D.;  R.  E.:  C.  B.  Church. 

Aid  to  Colleges  and  Academies. — J  G.  Craighead,  D.  D., 
B.  Sunderland,  D.  D.;  R.  E.:  W.  H.  H.  Smith. 

Temperance. — Rev.  C.  B.  Ramsdell,  Rev.  J.  W.  Mcllvain,  T. 
S.  Hamlin,  D.  D.;  R.  E.:  T.  B.  Dalrymple. 

Systematic  Beneficence. — Rev.  T.  S.  Wynkoop,  Rev.  J.  L. 
French ;  R.  E.:  Charles  Lyman. 

Sabbath  Schools. — Rev.  J.  M.  Nourse,  Rev.  G.  P.  VanWyck  ; 
R.  E.:  D.  McFarlan. 

Theology.— T.  Fullerton,  D.  D.,  B.  F.  Bittinger,  D.  D. 

Church  History. — B.  Sunderland,  D.  D.,  J.  Chester,  D.  D. 

Church  Government  and  Sacraments. — T.  S.  Childs,  D.  D., 
Rev.  N.  Cobb,  Rev.  W.  H.  Edwards. 

Hebrew. — Rev.  J.  W.  Mcllvain,  Rev.  T.  S.  Wynkoop. 

Greek. — J.  Chester,  D.  D.,  Rev.  Alexander  Fairley. 


Bladensburg    Church,    Prince    George    County,    Md.    1718 ; 
now  Hyattsville  Church. 

This  church,  six  miles  distant  from  the  Capital,  is  the  second 
in  the  line  of  succession  to  the  Old  Patuxent  or  Upper  Marl- 
BOROUH  Church,  which  existed  before  the  close  of  the  last  century, 
and  was  represented  in  1704  in  the  Synod  of  Philadelphia  by  Rev. 
Nathaniel  Taylor.  The  intermediate  link  was  the  Old  Bla- 
densburg, organized  in  1718,  by  Rev.  Hugh  Conn,  minister  from 
Scotland.  Mr.  Conn  appears  to  have  remained  with  the  Church 
until  his  sudden  death  in  the  pulpit  in  1752.  Of  the  Marl- 
borough Church  Mr.  Ninian  Beall  was  a  liberal  friend,  donating 
the  grounds  for  the  building,  and,  most  probably,  also  the  com- 
munion service — one  of  old  English  plate  of  the  date  of  1707, 
which,  at  the  closing  of  the  Marlborough  Church,  was  sent  to 
Bladensburg.  The  Hyattsville  Communion  still  holds  that 
portion  of  it  which  has  been  preserved. 

At  the  formation  of  the  Presbytery  of  Baltimore  in  1786, 
Bladensburg  was  represented  by  Rev.  James  Hunt,  from  whose 
death,  in  1793,  the  Church  had  either  stated  supplies  or  tlie  short 
pastoral  relations  of  Rev.  Messrs.  Semple,  Knox,  Maffit,  Willey, 
and  Ybitch — until  the  appointment  under  the  General  Assembly 
in  1809,  of  Rev.  J.  Breckenridge  to  labor  here  and  at  Wash- 
ington City.  Mr.  Breckenridge  remained  with  the  Church  three 
years,  and,  after  the  short  pastorate  of  Rev.  T.  C.  Searle,  re- 
turned and  again  served  the  Church  from  1823  to  1830.  The 
roll  of  communicants  at  that  date  numl)ered  71,  and  the  attend- 
ance on  the  pulpit  ministrations  was  full. 

From  this  time  until  1858,  with  the  exception  of  the  short 
pastorate  of  Rev.  John  Decker  (1843-'44),  the  Church  again  had 
the  service  only  of  stated  supplies,  chiefly  those  by  Revs.  Bos- 
worth,  Nevius,  Crawford,  Baird,  French  and  Simpson — by  the 
last  named  from  1851  to  1858.  It  was  then  attached  to  the 
Presbytery  of  Potomac.  In  1867,  it  connected  itself  with  the 
Patapsco  Presbytery  of  the  Church  South,  and  was  for  three  years 
under  the  care  of  Rev.  John  Ross  until  the  organization  of  the 
Washington  City  Presbytery. 


Hyattsville  Church. 

The  village  of  Bladensburg  had  been  for  long  years  on  the 
decline.  The  congregation  had  become  vei'j  small  and  the  build- 
ing itself,  rel)uilt  as  far  back  as  1818,  was  uninviting.  In  1873, 
by  the  efforts  largely  of  the  late  W.  P.  Shedd  and  his  family,  a 
new  enterprise  in  the  adjacent  and  growing  village  of  Hyatts- 
ville was  begun  in  prayer  and  faith.  Mr.  Shedd,  a  member  of 
the  Fourth  Church,  Washington,  had  removed  to  Bladensburg 
a  few  years  before,  and  was  earnestly  alive  to  the  need  of  a  Pres- 
byterian Church  in  the  village.  With  the  encouragement  of  the 
Washington  City  Presbytery,  seconded  by  the  Pastors  of  the  New 
York  Avenue,  First  Presbyterian,  Westminster,  Metropoli- 
tan, and  Sixth  Churches,  a  revival  of  the  old  Presbyterian  in- 
terest was  secured,  and  the  corner-stone  of  a  new  building  laid 
October  24,  1874.  The  house  was  dedicated  in  1876 ;  the  new 
name  of  the  Church  having  been  authorized  by  tlie  act  of  the 
Presbytery.  The  old  building  of  1818  was  disposed  of  to  the 
Baptist  Congregation  for  the  sum  of  800  dollars.  From  this 
time  until  the  call  of  the  present  Pastor,  the  pulpit  was  supplied 
chiefly  by  Rev.  Dr.  Simpson,  followed  by  Messrs.  Chickering, 
Burghardt,  and  Lowe. 

The  present  Pastor,  JRev.  J.  W.  McIlyain  >  was  intalled 
October  12,  1885.  The  prospects  of  this  Church  are  very  en- 
couraging. The  surrounding  population  is  on  the  advance. 
Pecent  improvements  made  to  the  building  have  increased  its 
value  to  that  of  $5,000,  and  a  neat  Manse  of  an  additional  value 
of  $3,000  has  been  donated  by  Mr.  J.  J.  Shedd,  a  brother  of 
the  founder,  under  God,  of  the  New  Church.  The  roll  of  com- 
municants numbers  42  ;  of  the  S.  School,  84. 

The  columns  for  the  agencies  of  the  Church  reported  to  the 
Assembly  are  well  tilled.  The  Church  this  year  becomes  self- 
sustaining. 

Officers. — Pastor,  Rev.  William  J.  McIlvain  "  ,  Elders,  F. 
H.  Smith,  F.  E.  Baukhages,  S.  A.  Holton. 


The  First  Presbyterian  Church,  Alexandria.    1772. 

The  earliest  records  of  this  Church  take  us  ha(;k  to  the  days 
of  the  jeah)us  watchf  uhiess  of  all  Churches  other  tliaii  the  Church 
of  England,  as  the  only  true  one  for  the  colonies.  In  1760,  the 
Tresbyterians  of  the  city  received  a  license  from  the  Governor 
and  Council  of  Virginia  to  worship  according  to  their  order,  said 
license  requiring  them  to  "  keep  the  Church  building  doors  and 
entrance  unlocked,"  lest  something  obnoxious  to  the  Eoyal  power 
might  be  concocted  therein.  After  worshipping  for  some  time 
under  this  permit  in  tlie  Town  Hall,  they  built  a  house  from  the 
earnings  of  a  lottery,  an  act,  in  its  judgment  of  its  rightfulness, 
not  confined  to  these  Christians,  but  to  be  found  in  the  records 
of  other  sections  of  the  country,  as  in  accordance  with  the  ideas 
of  the  times.  In  the  present  building  is  a  tablet  bearing  the 
inscription,  "Organized  1772;  Church  erected  1774."  The 
ground  was  deeded  "  to  Rev.  William  Thom,  the  first  Pastor, 
and  to  his  successors,  who  shall  be  Presbyterian  Ministers,  elected 
and  appointed  to  ofiiciate  in  the  Presbyterian  Church,"  the 
building  "to  be  kept  solely  for  the  use  of  said  Church;"  a  pro- 
vision restraining  its  sale,  for  any  removal  to  a  better  location, 
•  unless  by  later  and  special  legislation. 

Mr.  Thom  was  buried  alongside  of  his  Church,  and  was  suc- 
ceeded in  1786  by  Rev.  Isaac  S.  Keith  ;  and  he,  by  Rev.  James 
MuiR,  whose  pastorate  extended  from  1789  to  1820.  A  marble 
tablet  commemorates  his  faithful  labors. 

Dr.  Elias  Harrison's  ministry  followed,  extending  from  the 
death  of  Dr.  Mum,  to  his  death,  February  13,  1863.  Three 
years  before  his  election  as  Pastor,  a  secession  had  resulted  in 
the  organization  of  the  Second  Church  ;  and  in  the  latter  part 
of  his  Pastorate  (1861)  the  congregation  became  divided  by  the 
war,  the  majority  remaining  loyal  to  this  day,  to  the  Northern 
Assembly.  Dr.  Harrison  was  a  faithful  and  revered  Pastor. 
The  temporary  supply  of  the  pulpit  by  Rev.  Mr.  Axtel  and 
others  followed ;  two  Pastors,  Rev.  G.  M.  MoCampbell  and  W. 
A.  McAtee  being  next  successively  in  charge  until  1874;  after 
which  the  building  was  leased  until  1880,  to  about  100  persons, 
who  seceded  from  the  2d  Church  and  formed  the    "Union 


29 

Church,"  under  Rev.  Dr.  Bullock  ;  two  of  the  elders,  and  nearly 
all  of  the  niemhers  of  the  2d  Church  uniting  also  with  these. 
From  the  date  of  the  dissolution  of  this  organization,  the  pulpit 
was  supplied  hy  menil)ers  of  the  Washington  City  Presl)ytery, 
and  very  frequently  l)y  Rev.  Mr.  E.  Whittelsey,  of  the  Congre- 
gational Church.  In  May,  1885,  Rev.  James  Nonrse  was  in- 
stalled by  the  Presbytery  of  Washington  City. 

It  thus  appears  from  the  Church  records  that  its  Pastors  have 
been  successively  in  connection  with  the  several  Presbyteries  of 
Donegal,  Pennsylvania,  1st  Philadelphia,  Baltimore,  the  District 
of  Columbia,  Potomac,  and  Washington,  In  1808  the  General 
Assembly  was  invited  to  hold  its  sessions  in  this  Church ;  the 
Assembly,  however,  continued  to  meet  in  Philadelphia — 1800 
to  1835. 

The  congregation  have  frequently  labored  under  peculiar  diffi- 
culties. It  is  believed  that  the  secession  of  1817  would  not  have 
occurred  had  that  eminent  evangelist.  Rev.  Sylvester  Larned,  or 
the  equally  zealous  Pastor,  Daniel  Baker,  accepted  a  call  to  l)e- 
come  co-pastor  with  the  venerable  Dr.  Muir,  in  his  declining 
health.  The  division  resulted,  liowever,  in  the  formation  of  a 
second  and  prosperous  Church.  July  20,  1835,  the  Fikst 
Church  edifice  was  destroyed  by  lightning  at  the  hour  of  ex- 
pected service,  and  for  the  two  following  years  the  congregation 
worsliipped  with  the  Second  Church.  At  a  later  date  the  more 
serious  embarrassments  which  have  been  referred  to  have  con- 
tinued to  dishearten  friends,  who,  by  the  memories  of  the  good 
old  times  of  their  fathers  and  a  desire  to  perpetuate  the  work  to 
which  they  have  fallen  heirs,  would  gladly  see  a  steady  and 
healthful  progress.     It  is  hoped  that  a  new  era  will  dawn. 

The  sitting  capacity  of  the  house  is  600 ;  the  number  of  com- 
municants reported  to  the  Assembly  of  1887,  is  80 ;  an  increase 
of  51  over  that  of  1879.  The  columns  for  contributions  to  the 
Board  of  Assembly  are  all  filled. 

Officers. — Pasior,  Rev.  James  ISTourse  ;  Elders,  J.  P.  Agnew, 
N.  W.  Pierson  ;  Trustees,  J,  P.  Agnew,  Paul  Agnew,  Lewis 
McKenzie. 


Bridge  Street,  now  West  Street,  Church,  Georgetown,  1780. 

The  First  Presbyterian  Preaching  in  the  Present  District 
of  Columbia. 

The  first  offers  of  the  gospel  by  our  Church  in  this  immediate 
region  date  in  the  year  1780.  In  March  of  that  year  Rev. 
Stephen  Bloomer  Balch,  a  native  of  Maryland  and  a  licentiate 
of  the  old  Donegal  Presbytery  of  Pennsylvania,  when  on  his 
way  to  make  a  missionary  tour  in  the  Carolinas,  preached  to  a 
few  persons  in  Georgetown  of  Scotch  and  New  England  descent — 
some  from  that  true  Scotch  Presbyterian,  Col.  Niman  Beall,  who 
had,  at  a  still  earlier  date,  liltcrally  befriended  the  Old  Makl 
BOROUGH  Church,  in  Maryland.  Mr.  Balch  was  at  once  invited 
to  gather  a  congregation  among  this  people.  Returning  from 
North  Carolina  in  the  same  year,  he  found  an  unpromising  field, 
the  population  of  that  day  being  largely  of  the  ruder  elements  ; 
but  he  began  his  labors  on  the  skirts  of  the  neighl)oring  woods, 
and,  under  his  commission  as  Evangelist,  organized  a  Church. 

His  first  small  congregation,  after  worsliipping  for  two  years 
in  a  rented  room  on  the  present  site  of  tlie  Presbyterian  Mis- 
sion Chapel,  on  Market  street,  built  a  very  humble  house  of 
worship,  30  feet  square,  at  the  corner  of  Washington  and  Bridge 
streets.  His  first  elder  was  a  Mr.  Orme,  son  of  one  of  the  pas- 
tors of  the  Marlborough  Church  ;  and,  at  his  first  service,  sevt^n 
persons  onl}'  sat  down  at  the  communion  tal)le,  some  of  the 
lookers-on,  as  tradition  reports,  staring  with  amazement,  having 
never  heard  of  our  Great  Atoning  Sacrifice.  The  return  of  peace 
from  our  revolutionary  struggle  contril)uted  to  the  growth  of  the 
town,  which,  at  the  head  of  the  navigation  of  the  day,  had  a  fu- 
ture of  promise.  Mr.  Balch's  congregation  grew  with  it,  his 
eminently  catholic  spirit  attracting  members  of  other  denomina- 
tions until  they  built  their  own  churches.  The  location  of  the 
first  Presbyterian  building  was  fitly  chosen  to  accommodate  the 
people,  who  then  mostly  resided  below  the  present  Bridge  or  M 
street,  but  also  for  those  living  east  of  Rock  creek,  within  the 
beginnings  of  "  the  Federal  City."  Among  the  contributors  to 
its  erection  were  Vice-President  Jefferson,  then  residing  in  a 


31 

dwelling  which  still  stands  on  "  Jefferson  street,"  and  Secretary 
Giillatin. 

After  the  establishment  of  the  Government  here,  members  of 
the  Episcopal  Church  built  their  house  of  worship  in  Washing- 
ton, but  the  vacancies  in  Dr.  Balch's  Church  were  speedily  more 
than  filled,  and  the  Church  grew  in  strength.  In  1821,  the  old 
building  was  replaced  by  one  of  much  larger  dimensions.  Its 
dismantling  was  made  the  occasion  of  an  impressive  discourse, 
reminding  "tlie  people  of  God's  signal  favor  to  them  tlirough  the 
forty  years  of  the  past.  It  is  not  an  uninteresting  fact  that  Dr. 
Balch  and  his  successors,  down  to  the  times  of  the  late  war, 
provided,  with  the  full  co-operation  of  their  people,  for  Sabbath- 
School  instruction  of  the  colored  race. 

Dr.  Balch's  personal  sacrifices  during  his  life  were  not  few. 
Among  them  were,  in  1831,  the  destruction  of  his  whole  house- 
hold effects  by  fire,  himself  and  his  wife  barely  escaping  with 
their  lives.  The  early  Sessional  Records  of  the  Church  were 
also  destroyed,  together  with  a  valuable  portrait  of  Makemie. 

His  ministerial  labors  were  closed  in  his  eighty-seventh  year 
by  the  call  of  the  Master,  on  the  morning  of  September  7,  1833, 
to  the  rewards  of  fifty-three  years  of  duty  and  godly  example. 
In  testimony  of  his  worth,  the  Aldermen  and  Common  Council 
attended  the  funeral  in  a  body  and  the  streets  were  draped  in 
mourning.  His  remains,  interred  at  first  in  front  of  his  beloved 
Chuich,  rested  there  until  the  dismantling  of  the  building  in 
1872,  when  Mrs.  Jane  Williamson,  one  of  his  daughters,  caused 
their  removal,  and  the  same  kind  hands  that  first  buried  them 
(Mr.  R.  R.  Shekell's)  transferred  them  to  the  Presbyterian  Cem- 
etery and  thence  to  Oak  Hill,  where  Mr.  W.  W.  Corcoran  gave 
them  a  final  resting  place  and  a  monumental  tablet  in  the  chapel. 

Dr.  Balch  will  yet  be  long  remembered  as  a  preacher  of  the 
old  style,  eccentric  in  his  demeanor  and  at  the  same  time  remark- 
ably genial  in  all  his  work  and  intercourse. 


Pastorates— 1833-1888. 

The  congregation  has  been  but  for  very  limited  times  without 
a  settled  pastor.  Dr.  Balch  had  as  assistant,  for  a  short  time 
from  the  year  1823,  Rev.  John  Campbell.* -'  In  his  declining 
health  he  had,  as  co-pastor,  Hev.  John  C.  Smith.  At  the  Doc- 
tor's death,  Sept.  7,  1833,  Mr.  Smith  was  called  to  the  full 
pastorate,  remaining  with  the  Church  until  his  acceptance  of 
a  call,  April  9,  1839,  to  the  Fourth  Church,  Washington. 
Rev.  R.  T.  Berry  followed  from  October  3,  1841,  to  August 
28,  181:9;  Rev.  J.  M.  P.  Atkinson,  from  March  12,  1850,  to 
February  12,  1856  ;  Rev.  Dr.  J.  H.  Bocock,  February  17,  1857, 
to  May  27,  1861.  Dr.  B.  F.  Bittinger  then  declining  a  call, 
Rev.  F.  T.  Brown  was  the  pastor  during  the  troublous  times  of 
the  war — from  second  Sabbath,  June,  1861,  to  February  6, 1865. 
June  21,  1865,  Rev.  A.  A.  E.  Taylor  was  installed,  and  remained 
until  May  3,  1869,  succeeded  by  Rev.  D.  W.  Moffat  May  6, 
1870,  to  April  10,  1872,  and  he,  in  May  of  that  year,  by  Rev. 
S.  H.  Howe  until  1883,  when  the  pulpit,  becoming  again  vacant, 
was  supplied  by  Rev.  T.  S.  Cliilds  until  the  present  pastor.  Dr. 
Fuller  ton,  entered  on  his  charge  in  September  of  the  same  year. 

During  the  times  of  the  war  for  some  months  the  church 
building,  with  others  in  Washington,  was  occupied  by  the  Gov- 
ernment as  a  hospital  for  the  sick  and  wounded  soldiery,  and  the 
congregation  worshipped  on  alternate  Sabbaths  with  the  Metho- 
dist Protestant  Church  on  Congress  street.  This  was  cour- 
teous reciprocity  for  a  like  Christian  courtesy  extended  in  years 
previous  to  the  Methodist  brethren  when  their  building  had  been 
burned. 

Under  each  of  the  pastorates  from  1833  to  1872  the  Bridge- 
street  Church  advanced  in  strength,  notwithstanding  the  small  ad- 
vance in  the  population  around  it  and  the  removal  of  many  of  its 
best  members  to  other  sections  of  the  city.  In  the  pastorates  of 
Drs.  Bocock,  Atkinson,  and  Howe  seasons  of  revival  added  a 
number  of  the  young  of  the  congregation  to  the  membership. 
In  1871  the  question  of  a  removal  became  a  necessary  considera- 
tion, and  the  present  site  of  the  new  Church  was  selected. 

June  8,  1879,  the  new  edifice  was  dedicated  and  Rev.  Dr. 


33 

Howe  installed  pastor.     The  sermon  was  by  Dr.  D.  W.  Moffat, 
one  of  the  former  pastors. 

Tlie  West-street  c(Migrei^'ation  have  found  their  present  loca- 
tion prcxliictive  of  nnich  gain  to  their  attendance  and  growth. 
The  removal  was  accompanied,  as  is  usual  in  such  cases,  with 
many  regrets  and  tender  liistoric  remembrances.  The  old  walls 
had  been  witnesses  to  many  conferences  of  the  friends  of  Zion ; 
muny  meetings  of  Synod,  of  Presbytery,  and  of  Church  sessions  ; 
many  of  the  last  Chiistian  rites  given  to  sainted  ones  on  high. 
Patriotic  mem.orial  services  commemorative  of  the  two  Presi- 
dents, Jefferson  and  Adams,  who  died  on  tiie  same  4tii  of  July, 
had  also  been  attended  in  this  building  by  a  crowded  audience. 
Historic  associations,  therefore,  of  every  nature  were  clustered 
here.  But  the  removal,  as  has  been  shown,  was  an  act  of  neces- 
sity ;  and  now,  sanctioned  as  it  has  been  by  the  blessing  of  the 
Master,  it  is  fully  acquiesced  in  by  all. 

The  population  of  Georgetown  has  not  as  yet  advanced  in 
proportion  to  the  increase  in  the  eastern  sections  of  the  Capital. 
Additions  to  the  membership  of  this  churcii,  therefore,  continue 
to  I)e  looked  for  chiefly  from  the  Sabbath  Schools  brought  under 
the  influence  of  the  pulpit.  These  additions  steadily  continue 
and  are  still  those  of  a  character  promising  the  most  in  healthful 
permanence.  Full  and  attentive  congregations  attest  the  value 
of  the  Pastor's  ministrations.  The  roll  of  church  members  re- 
ported to  the  Assembly  of  1887  numbered  290,  to  which  more 
than  30  additions  have  l)een  recently  made.  Liberal  contributions 
to  the  Boards  appear  in  all  the  colunms  of  the  Minutes.  The 
Sabbath  Schools  number  400.  A  mission  school  near  the  loca- 
tion of  the  Church  of  1821,  begun  with  promise  last  year  under 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  W.  I.  Lewis,  has  been  transferred  to  the  Church 
of  the  Covenant,  the  West  street  mission  of  Market  street  being 
still  maintained.  All  of  the  Church  properties,  the  building. 
Chapel,  Manse  and  Mission  are  free  from  debt.  Their  value  is 
estimated  at  $60,000,  The  Chapel  with  its  lot  and  that  of  the 
Church,  were  the  gifts  of  Messrs.  Darby  and  Cissel  when  resi- 
dents of  Georgetown. 

Chdrch  Officers  : — Pastor,  Rev.  Thomas  Fcllerton,  D.  D., 
3121  P  St.  (The  Manse).  Elders  :— W.  H.  Dougal,  A.  Greenlees 
J.  Leetch,  B.  R.  Mayfleld,  F.  L.  Moore,  C.  S.  Smith,  J.  A.  Wil- 


34 

liamson.  Deacons  : — D.  Auld,  L.  S.  Frey,  T.  S.  Gibbs,  J.  T, 
Swindells.  Trustees  : — C.  Becker,  W.  D.  Brace,  S.  T.  Brown, 
W.  M.  Doug-al,  L.  S.  Frey,  P.  F.  Gilbert,  J.  T.  Hotter,  K.  S. 
Tenney,  W.'  W.  Winship. 

The  venerable  Journal  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  is  a  model  for 
such  records.  It  opens  with  a  fair  transcript  of  the  Charter 
granted  to  the  Church  in  1806  by  Congress,  signed  i)y  Nathaniel 
Macon,  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  and  S.  Smith, 
President /?/'o  tempore  of  the  Senate,  and  approved  by  Thomas 
Jefferson,  President.  Singularly  enougli,  this  cliarter,  of  wliich 
the  parchment  oi-iginal  is  still  preserved,  restricts  the  revenues  of 
the  Church  to  the  sura  of  $3,000.  Among  its  later  records  is 
that  of  the  deposits  made  in  1872,  under  the  corner-stone,  of  the 
new  Church  on  West  street  with  those  then  re-laid  from  the 
corner-stone  of  the  old  building  of  1821. 


The  First  Presbyterian  Church,  Four  and  One-half 
Street.  — 1795. 

This  church  was  the  first  of  our  organization  within  tlie  limits 
of  the  "  Federal  City."  Its  earliest  history  indeed  runs  back  to 
a  date  six  years  before  the  removal  of  the  seat  of  Government 
from  Philadelphia.  The  records  of  Baltimore  Presbytery  show 
that,  at  a  stated  meeting  of  that  Presbyter}^,  April  29,  1795,  a 
call  was  presented  "  from  the  Churches  in  Washington  for  the 
services  of  Rev,  John  Breckusteidge  ; "  and  on  the  24th  of  June 
following,  at  a  called  meeting  at  Bladensburg,  on  the  report  of 
"  a  committee  respecting  tlie  Churches  in  said  town  and  its 
vicinity,"  measures  were  taken  for  the  future  installation  of  this 
Minister. 

It  appears  evident,  then,  that  whatever  is  to  be  understood  by 
the  term  "  Churches  "  here  used  (probably  as  Rev.  Mr.  McFalls 
considers  "  small  bands  of  believers  as  yet  without  formal  organi- 
zation ")  a  Presbyterian  society  existed,  and  a  regular  pastoral 
relation  was  contemplated.  As  is  well  known,  the  so-called 
"  Federal  City  "  of  that  day  was  as  yet  one  of  a  thinlj'  scattered 
population.  For  ten  years  before  the  reuioval  of  the  Govern- 
ment here,  its  area  embraced  scarcely  500  inhabitants.  In  1801 
Pennsylvania  avenue  was  a  deep  morass  covered  with  alder 
bushes.  For  years  Senators  and  Representatives,  by  necessity, 
resided  in  Georgetown. 

The  first  services  for  the  new^  congregation  were  held  in  a  car- 
penter's shop,  put  up  for  the  use  of  the  workmen  employed  in 
building  the  President's  house,  and  when  this  was  taken  down,  a 
frame  chapel  was  erected  on  a  lot  on  F  street,  near  Saint  Pat- 
rick's (Roman  Catholic)  Church,  the  use  of  the  lot  I^eing  tem- 
porarily given  by  Mr.  David  Burns,  one  of  the  original  proprie- 
tors of  land  in  the  city.  In  1803  the  congregation  was  w^eakened 
by  the  gathering  of  the  Ciiurch  of  the  Associate  Reformed  Body 
under  Rev.  James  Laurie.  Mr.  Breckinridge's  services  were, 
however,  continued  under  his  appointment  from  the  General 
Assembly  to  this  people  and  to  those  at  Bladensburg;  for  a  time 
the  Washington  services  were  held  in  the  "  Academy  East." 


Erection  of  the  Church  at  the  foot  of  Capitol  Hill. 

In  the  year  1810,  Mr.  George  Blagden,  Elias  B.  Caldwell, 
John  Coyle,  Daniel  Rapine,  and  ^John  McClelland,  "  formed 
themselves  into  a  Committee  to  attempt  the  building  of  a  house 
of  worship,"  A  snl)Scription  was  opened  and  application  for  aid 
made  to  the  General  Assembly,  with  a  statement  of  tlie  desires 
of  the  people,  that  the  Asseml)ly  would  be  pleased  to  continue 
tlie  Mission  while  tliey  wonl:l  go  foi'waru  with  the  building.  The 
re(piest  was  granted,  and  a  new  commission  for  Mr.  Breckenridge 
issued  through  the  Presbytery  of  Baltimore.  Until  the  comple- 
tion of  this  lirst  house  of  worship,  Divine  Services  were  held,  and 
the  Sacraments  administered,  in  tlie  basement  of  the  north  wing 
of  the  Capitol ;  at  the  communion  services  the  "metallic  tokens" 
of  that  day  were  distributed.  The  Society  was  small  and  of 
moderate  ability,  but  a  subscription  of  1^350  was  made  for  the 
Minister. 

June  25,  1812,  the  "  Little  White  Church  "  under  the  Hill 
was  entered,  and  its  dedication  sermon  preached  by  Mr.  Brecken- 
ridge, from  Luke  xix,  9 :  "  This  day  is  salvation  come  to  this 
house."  It  was  a  plain  brick  structure  on  "  South  Capitol  Street." 
Among  the  contributors  to  its  erection  were.  President  Madison, 
Hon.  James  Monroe,  Wm.  R.  King,  John  Lambert,  and  Josiah 
Quincy.  The  first  cost  was  but  §11,000  ;  the  building  was  after- 
wards enlarged  for  an  additional  $3,000.  In  September,  1812, 
its  Session  held  its  lirst  meeting. 

Mr.  Breckenridge  was  installed  July  4,  1813,  and  continued 
to  be  the  Pastor  until  tlie  relation  was  dissolved  in  May,  1818. 
He  died  in  1844,  at  the  age  of  75,  and  was  buried  at  the  place 
then  known  as  Harewood,  where  Mr.  W.  W.  Corcoran,  in  after 
years,  gave  his  i-emains  a  resting  place.  After  his  resignation  of 
the  Pastorate,  the  pulpit  was  supplied  by  Messrs.  John  McKnight, 
Andrew  Hunter,  and  John  Clark,  until  the  call  in  April,  1819, 
to  Rev.  Reuben  Post,  who  was  ordained  and  installed  June  24th 
of  that  year. 

From  the  first  forming  of  this  Church  the  favor  of  God  rested 
upon  it,  prompting  in  the  hearts  of  the  people  an  active  mis- 
sionary spirit. 


Removal  to  Four-and-a-Half  Street. 

The  population  of  the  Hill  and  its  vicinity  did  not,  how- 
ever, gi'ow  as  the  original  property-holders  had  expected.  They 
held  their  property  at  such  prices  in  what  was  then  supposed 
would  be  the  centralization  of  the  future  city  as  to  force  the  bulk 
of  tlie  new  residences  much  further  westward.  Other  denomina- 
tions also  began  to  erect  their  houses  of  worship  at  no  great 
distance  from  Mr.  Post's  charge.  His  pulpit  and  pastoral  labors 
promised  him  larrge  success  if  a  new  location  should  be  secured 
"  west  of  the  Tiber  Creek,"  as  then  called.  The  site  of  the 
present  building  on  4^  street,  108  feet  front  by  113  deep,  was 
therefore  purchased  for  20  cents  per  foot,  the  building  contract 
being  for  $8,000.  The  old  edifice  was  sold  to  the  African  M.  E. 
Society  for  $2,500.  At  the  head  of  the  subscribers  for  the  new 
building  was  the  name  of  Dr.  Post  for  §500,  his  salary  being 
but  $1,000  per  annum.     The  whole  cost  exceeded  .|12,000. 

April  10,  1827,  the  corner-stone  was  laid,  and  the  church  dedi- 
cated December  9  of  the  same  year.  Dr.  Post's  sermon  being 
from  the  appropriate  text,  Haggai  ii,  9  :  "  The  glory  of  the  lat- 
ter house  shall  be  greater  than  that  of  the  former."  Pie  was 
filled  with  the  hope  which  is  founded  on  the  unfailing  covenant 
of  the  Master  to  be  with  His  people.  Dr.  Post  was  a  minister 
of  deep  piety,  who,  although  not  distinguished  for  great  pulpit 
ability,  so  faithfully  followed  up  the  ministrations  of  the  Sabbath 
by  personal  visitations  and  converse  that  the  Chnrcli  received 
accessions,  especially  from  the  young  men  of  the  congregation, 
strengthening  it  for  years  after  his  resignation.  The  pastoral  re- 
lation was  dissolved  by  the  Presbytery  of  the  District,  June  2-1, 
1836,  that  Dr.  Post  might  accept  a  call  to  the  Independent  Con- 
gregational Society  of  Charleston,  in  which  city  he  died  Sep- 
tember 28,  1858. 

After  a  brief  supply  of  the  pulpit  by  Rev.  Addison  Mines, 
and  the  declining  of  a  call  by  Rev.  Wm.  J.  Armstrong,  Rev. 
W.  McLain,  of  tiie  New  Haven  Association,  was  installed  Pas- 
tor January  11,  1837,    and  continued   with    the    Church    until 


38 

failing  liealth  made  his  resignation  necessary  in  1840.  He  con- 
tinued in  the  service  of  the  Presbytery  as  its  Stated  Clerk,  and 
also  held  the  office  of  Secretary  of  the  American  Colonization 
Society  until  his  death,  February  13,  1873. 

Mr.  McLain's  ministry  was  followed  by  that  of  Rev, 
Charles  Rich,  of  the  Hartford  Association,  wlio  was  installed 
November  30,  1840,  but  who  also  resigned  by  reason  of  ill 
health  in  the  third  year  of  his  service.  The  pulpit  was  then  sup- 
plied for  a  time  by  Rev.  C.  H.  Noursb  and  others.  In  the  fall 
of  the' same  year  Rev.  William  T.  Sprole,  of  the  Presbytery  of 
Harrisburg,  was  installed,  remaining  with  the  Church  until  his 
appointment  as  Chaplain  to  the  United  States  Military  Academy 
in  1847,  after  whicii  date,  at  tlieir  own  request,  the  congregation 
were  supplied  by  Presbyterian  appointments  until  the  installation 
of  Rev.  Elisha  Ballejsttyne,  of  Prince  Edward  county,  Vir- 
ginia, March  1st,  1848,  who  also  resigned  on  account  of  ill  liealth 
in  1851.  His  people  at  his  departure  manifested  their  regret  and 
their  esteem  for  his  services  by  the  outward  token  of  a  purse  of 
2,000  dollars  presented  through  Dr.  William  Gunton,  President 
of  the  Boai-d  of  Trustees.  He  died  suddenly  at  Blooraington, 
Indiana,  in  1886. 

During  these  pastorates  the  Church  was  steadily  strengthened; 
the  attendance  on  the  pulpit  ministrations  was  always  that  of  a 
large  and  interested  audience;  several  revivals  were  granted,  re- 
minding the  friends  of  the  Church  of  the  older  seasons  of  such 
blessings.  The  Sabbath  School,  with  its  organized  Juvenile  Mis- 
sionary Society,  was  sustained  by  an  etiicient  corps  of  faithful 
teachers,  and  a  mission  work  begun  in  a  distant  section  of  the 
city.  Among  the  pew-holders  were  Presidents  Polk  and  Pierce, 
Senators  Benton,  Buclianan,  Wriglit  and  others,  Hon,  E.  Whit- 
telsey,  Judge  Collamer  and  General  Cass. 

The  three  elders  named  as  laboring  for  the  founding  of  the 
Church  lived  to  see  their  hopes  realized  ;  several  of  them  through 
its  prosperity  of  twenty-five  years.  Among  those  of  long  ser- 
vice are  the  names  of  Mr.  James  Moore,  serving  till  1853  ;  Mr. 
Andrew  Covle,  till  1855  ;  Mrs.  W.  H.  Campbell,  1840  till  1881 ; 
Mr.LEONiDAs  CoYLE,  1841  till  1866, 

The  present  Pastor,  Rev.  Byron  Sunderland,  D.  D.,  was 
unanimously  elected,  and  installed  April   21,  1853,  his  ministry 


39 

now  reaching  through  a  period  exceeding  thirty- four  years.  Soon 
after  liis  settlement  an  increased  attendance  made  it  necessary 
that  the  Church  building  be  reconstructed  by  adding  to  its  height, 
extending  it  to  the  rear  of  its  grounds,  elevating  the  audience 
room,  and  making  a  new  front.  Its  sitting  capacity,  with  its  gal- 
leries, is  now  1,000. 

The  re-dedication,  December  9,  1860,  was  by  the  services  of 
the  venerable  Dr.  Spring  in  the  morning.  Rev.  C.  H.  Read  in  the 
afternoon,  and  Rev.  J.  Jejstkins  at  night :  these  three  Ministers 
representing  thus  the  Old  School,  the  New  School,  and  the  South- 
ern Churches  of  that  day. 

The  Church  property  is  valued  at  $75,000,  Friends  outside 
and  within  the  congregation  presented  the  residence  of  the  Pastor 
to  him  as  a  token  of  their  esteem  for  his  services.  Invited  in 
1864—5  by  the  American  and  Foreign  Christian  Union  to  take 
charge  of  the  American  Chapel  in  Paris,  Dr.  Sunderland  was 
acting  pastor  of  that  Church  on  the  Rue  de  Berri  for  about  sev- 
enteen months,  his  people  supplying  their  pulpit. 

Since  the  year  1860,  and  until  recently,  several  causes  have 
operated  to  bring  some  embarrassment  to  this  Church.  The 
first  was  one  which  has  a  like  histoiy  in  all  cities — the  removal 
of  a  number  of  members  from  the  immediate  neighborhood ;  a 
further  witlidrawal  occurring  in  1866  by  disaffection  at  the  deliv- 
ery by  Mr.  Frederick  Douglass  of  a  lecture  in  the  Church. 

By  this  the  harmony  of  the  congregation  was  impaired  and  the 
Church  lost  many  of  her  members ;  fidelity  to  truth  also  compels 
the  record,  that  many  of  those  who  had  insisted  on  the  delivery, 
and  promised  from  it  the  best  results,  were  among  those  who 
afterwards  withdrew.  The  union  of  the  Old  School  and  the 
New,  in  1870,  still  further  added  to  the  former  losses  by  the 
change  of  membership  on  the  part  of  those  who  now  felt  them- 
selves equally  at  home  in  other  organizations  nearer  to  them. 

Notwithstanding  these  embarrassments  experienced  equally  by 
no  other  of  our  city  Churches,  the  First  Presbyterian  of  to-day 
is  strong  and  harmonious  in  its  various  activities,  and  is  exerting 
a  commanding  influence  on  prominent  men  attending  its  worship. 
Its  roll  numbers  300,  43  having  been  received  in  1886;  its  Sab- 
bath Schools  number  368 ;  its  contributions  to  our  different  Church 
agencies  have  exceeded  $6,500. 


The  F  Street  Church  of  1803  and  the  Second  Presbyterian 
of  1820,  united  in  the  New  York  Avenue. 

The  F  Street  Church,  1803. 

Altliongli  tlie  orig'iiijil  organization  here  was  not  under  one 
of  our  Pi-eshyteiies,  it  lield  to  essentially  the  same  doctrines 
and  polity  under  the  Associate  liefortned  Body.  The  ear- 
liest of  its  sessional  records  were  hnrned  with  tlie  Treasury  huild- 
ing  in  1829.  Thosi-  heginuing  in  1819  state  that  in  May,  1821, 
when  a  union  was  effected  in  Philadelphia  between  the  General 
Assembly  of  the  Presl)yterian  Church  and  the  Associate  Re- 
foi-med  Body  in  the  United  States,  the  Presl)ytery  of  the  Asso- 
ciate Reformed  was  ordered  to  be  thenceforth  designated  the 
Second  Presbytery  of  Piiiladelphia;  and,  that  at  a  meeting  of 
the  Synod  of  Piiiladelphia  in  1S23,  the  F  Street  Church  was  or- 
dered to  be  enrolled  in  the  Presbytery  of  the  District  of  Co- 
lumbia. 

The  Church  had  been  formed  in  1803.  In  March  of  that  year, 
a  numl)er  of  Christians  of  the  Associate  Reformed  Body,  who 
had  removed  to  Washington  when  it  became  the  seat  of  Govern- 
ment, invited  the  Rev.  James  Laurie,  of  Edinburgh,  then  visiting 
them,  on  the  recommendation  of  Dr.  John  Mason,  of  New  York, 
to  assist  them  in  gathering  a  congregation  ;  Dr.  Laurie  was  in- 
stalled Pastor  in  the  year  following.  The  city  was,  as  yet,  with 
scarcely  an  inhabitant  or  dwelling.  Mr.  Laurie  was  accustomed 
to  relate  that,  when  on  his  way  thither,  he  had  asked  his  driver 
how  far  off  it  M^as,  he  received  the  answer,  "  Sir,  we  have  been 
driving  t/uong/i  it  for  two  honTs^ 

The  friends  of  tlie  organization  could  not  report  a  rapid 
growth  of  the  Church  membership,  but  at  the  time  of  their  union 
with  the  Presbytery  of  the  Disti-ict,  the  Session  record  that 
"  amid  many  difficulties  and  discouragements  the  Church  had 
been  kept  alive ; "  and  they  express  the  hope  that  it  "  would 
prosper  long  after  they  would  be  gathered  to  their  fatliers." 
The  present  state  of  their  legacy  demonstrates  anew  the  un- 
changing fidelity  of  God  to  His  covenanting  people. 

The  support  of  Mr.  Laurie  from  his  congregation  l)eing  insuf- 
ficient, he  held  for  a  long  time  a  position  in  the  Register's  office, 
Treasury  Department.    He  travelled  North  and  South,  collecting 


41 

funds  for  the  erection  of  the  Church,  having  at  tlie  first  occupied 
for  divine  service  a  room  in  the  Treasury  building.  In  1815  he 
received  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  from  Williams  College, 
Massachusetts. 

His  pastorate,  like  those  of  his  friends,  Dr.  Balch,  and  Dr. 
Harrison  of  the  First  Church,  Alexandria,  extended  over  a  long 
period;  his  for  fifty-three  years.  April  10th,  1853,  at  a  Com- 
munion season,  he  alluded  very  feelingly  to  his  approaching 
decease,  saying,  "  The  time  cannot  be  far  off,"  and  adding,  as  he 
leaned  over  his  pulpit,  almost  in  a  whisper,  "  I  feel  it."  On  the 
Sabbath  following  he  sent  word  to  his  choir  the  request  to  sing 
the  hymn,  ''  Jerusalem,  my  happy  home,"  and  in  a  few  hours 
closed  a  life  of  75  years  with  the  words,  "  It  is  well."  He  was 
a  preacher  of  the  old  regime,  doctrinal,  yet  clear  and  affectionate, 
his  pastoral  work  also  being  remarkably  tender  and  faithful  to 
all.  The  Session  of  1853  record  their  deep  sense  of  the  loss  of 
one  of  the  best  pastoi's  and  best  of  citizens. 

The  original  elders  were  Joseph  Nourse,  John  McGowan,  and 
Alexander  McDonald.  A  number  of  the  officers  of  the  Gov- 
ernment were  the  early  friends  and  members  of  this  Church. 

During  the  later  years  of  Dr.  Laurie's  ministry  the  following 
co-Pastors  were  successively  elected  to  that  office  :  Rev.  Septimus 
Tustin,  1839  to  1845;  Rev.  Ninian  Bannatyne,  from  1845  to 
1848,  the  year  of  his  lamented  death  ;  Rev.  L.  H.  Christian,  1850  ; 
and  Rev.  D.  X.  Junkin,  in  the  same  year,  remaining  until  his 
resignation  and  appointment  as  Chaplain  in  U.  S.  Navy  in  1853. 
March  2,  1854,  Rev.  Phineas  D.  Gurley  was  installed  Pastor  by 
the  Presbytery  of  Baltimore,  under  his  ministry  the  union  be- 
tween the  F  Street  and  the  Second  Presbyterian  Church  was  hap- 
pily effected.  The  history  of  this  Church  therefore  finds  its  next 
place  here. 

The  Second  Presbyterian  Church  of  1820. 
The  sessional  records  of  this  organization,  dated  May  9,  1820, 
state  that,  under  the  advisement  of  the  Presbytery  of  Baltimore, 
forty-one  persons,  whose  names  appear  on  the  record,  then  formed 
themselves  into  a  congregation.  On  the  13tli  of  October  follow- 
ing Rev.  J.  T.  Russel  constituted  the  Church,  its  first  Elders  be- 
ing Messrs.  John  Craven  and  Joseph  Brumley.  June  6,  1821, 
Rev.  Daniel  Baker,  of  the  Presbytery  of  Winchester,  was  elected 


42 

Pastor.  His  work,  which  was  one  of  largely-extended  usefulness, 
was  closed  by  liis  resignation  to  accept  a  call,  1828,  to  the  Inde- 
pendent Presl)yteriaii  Church  of  Savannah,  when  the  pulpit  was 
declared  vacant  by  Eev.  Dr.  Post,  March  30, 1828. 

After  Rev.  Luther  Halsey,  of  Princeton,  had  declined  a  subse- 
quent call  by  the  Church,  Dr.  .1.  N.  Campbell,  of  All)any,  served 
them  as  Stated  Supply  until  the  fall  of  1830,  from  which  last- 
named  date  to  the  year  1845  they  were  under  the  short  pastorates 
successively  of  Revs.  E.  H.  Smith,  P.  H.  Fowler,  George  "Wood, 
R.  W.  Clark,  W.  W.  Eels,  and  J.  Knox,  after  whom  the  pulpit 
was  filled  by  temporary  supplies  only  until  the  call  in  1849  to 
Rev.  James  R.  Eckard.  His  useful  pastorate  closed  in  1853. 
A  short  supply  by  Rev.  J.  D.  Mattliews  followed,  the  Church  hav- 
ing transferred  its  relation  under  Dr.  Eckard  from  the  Presbytery 
of  the  District  to  the  Presbytery  of  Baltimore. 

From  the  date  of  this  transfer  the  pulpit  was  supplied  by  Rev, 
Dr.  James  G.  Hamner  until  the  union  with  the  F  Street  Church, 

The  Union  of  July  30,  1859, 

was  a  most  necessary  and  useful  result,  not  only  as  effecting  the 
basis  of  a  more  successful  and  permanent  church  work  than 
could  be  expected  from  the  past  experience  or  the  existing  state 
of  either  of  the  two  churches,  but  as  terminating,  in  the  case  of 
the  Second  Church,  a  long  series  of  struggles  to  secure  entire 
unity  of  action  among  devout  and  zealous  workers.  From  the 
good  old  days  of  Daniel  Baker's  lamented  resignation  of  the 
pastorate  this  lack  of  unity  was  apparent.  It  grew  chiefly  out 
of  too  rigid  an  adherence  to  things  in  church  polity  not  essen- 
tial to  true  prosperity.  The  details  of  this  need  not  be  quoted 
here  from  the  church  rec^ords.  The  building  originally  occupied 
was  one  of  the  most  unpretending  character ;  yet,  under  the 
blessing  of  God,  it  had  been  the  birth-place  of  many  souls.  Dr. 
Baker's  ministry,  especially,  was  one  of  marked  success.  His 
devoted  spirit  manifested  itself  through  the  whole  of  his  pasto- 
rate— a  spirit  which  afterwards  made  his  name  so  revered  in  the 
Southwest  as  the  winner  of  souls  for  his  Master.  Among  his 
first  trustees  were  President  Adams  and  Secretary  Southard. 
Mr.  Adams  was  a  regular  attendant,  for  a  long  time  taking  a 
lively  interest  in  the  church.     He  loaned  to  it,  when  under  dif- 


43 

ficulty,  a  sum  of  mouey  conditionaliy  on  receiving  no  interest. 
President  Jackson  was,  for  a  time,  a  pew-holder. 

At  the  date  of  the  union  with  the  present  N.  Y.  Avenue 
Church  the  Elders  were  Michael  Nourse,  Charles  Sto^t,  John  M, 
McCalla,  and  William  Waller.  At  a  communion  service  Octo- 
ber 14,  1859,  seventy -four  members  united,  Ity  certificate,  with 
the  F  Street  Church.  The  Presbytery  of  Potomac  then  struck 
from  its  rolls  the  separate  names  of  the  two  former  organizations. 
This  action  resulted  in  the  selling  of  the  building  upon  F  street 
and  the  erection  of  a  fine  edifice  on  New  York  avenue,  on  a  lot 
which  the  Second  Church  had  previously  owned.  A  strong 
church  of  wealth,  enterprise,  and  zeal  w;is  developed,  through 
which  Presbyterianism  enlarged  its  borders  in  the  National  Cap- 
ital. From  it  a  colony  went  out,  in  1865,  and  established  the 
North  Pi-esbyterian  Church.  Next  came  the  establishment  of 
the  Gurley  Mission,  and,  later,  another  mission  in  the  southern 
part  of  the  city. 

New  York  Avenue  Church. 

Dr.  Gurley,  who  had  l)een  largely  instrumental  in  securing  the 
Union,  now  merged  his  pastorate  of  the  F  Street  Church  into 
that  of  the  united  congregations.  His  ministry,  in  Washington, 
of  14  years,  was  closed  l)y  death  Septem])er  30,  1868.  A  man 
of  God,  of  deep  piety  and  usefulness,  his  labors  had  justly  placed 
him  at  the  head  of  some  of  the  most  important  committees  of  the 
whole  churiih  of  which  lie  was  the  guiding  officer  as  Moderator 
of  tbe  Assembly  of  1867.  He  had  been  the  confidential  friend 
of  more  than  one  of  our  Presidents  ;  he  was  the  friend  and  pas- 
tor of  President  Lincoln,  enjoyed  the  love  and  confidence  of  that 
great  and  good  man,  whose  death-bed  he  attended,  the  family  and 
Cabinet  of  whom  he  comforted,  whose  funeral  services,  in  the 
East  Room  of  the  Executive  Mansion,  he  conducted,  and  whose 
remains  he  accompanied  to  their  quiet  resting-place  in  Illinois. 
He  was,  also,  chaplain,  for  a  number  of  years,  of  the  House  of 
Representatives:  Among  his  last  words  at  the  close  of  a  linger- 
ing and  most  painful  disease,  was  a  new  message  of  love  to  his 
people,  and  an  expression  of  like  spirit  to  the  brethren  around 
his  bed :    "  I  love  you  all." 

In  November,  1869,  Rev.  S.  S.  Mitchell,  of  Harrisburg,  was 


44 

installed  pastor,  and  at  his  release  in  1878,  to  accept  a  call  to  the 
Reformed  Church  in  Brooklyn,  liev.  J.  K.  Faxton  was  installed, 
and  remained  witli  the  Church  until  February  19,  1882. 

The  present  Pastor,  Dr.  William  Alvin  Bartlett  was  installed 
October  24th  of  the  same  year. 

The  prosperity  of  this  church  which  holds  so  important  a  posi- 
*tion  at  the  capital  continues  to  be  of  a  very  marked  character. 
Tlie  Sessional  report  for  the  year  ending  March  10, 1887,  records  a 
larger  attendance  during  the  year  and  a  greater  number  of  its 
members  engaged  in  some  branch  of  its  activities  than  at  any 
previous  date  of  its  liistory.  The  membership  had  been  increased 
by  73  names  ;  68  on  profession  :  the  total  num!)er  831.  Vacan- 
cies caused  hv  dismissions  during  the  past  two  years  of  the  large 
number  who  chiefly  formed  the  new  "Cburcli  of  the  Covenant" 
had  been  almost  immediately  more  than  tilled.  Totals  of  contri- 
butions to  the  nine  Boards  of  the  Assembly  footed  up  nearly 
$2,000  ;  those  for  other  benevolent  agencies  $5,200 ;  and  the  ag- 
gregate of  receipts  by  the  Trustees,  Session,  and  the  different 
societies  of  the  church  work,  $27,115.  Improvements  placed 
upon  the  building  and  on  the  Manse  had  cost  $12,000.  The  es- 
timated value  of  all  the  properties  held  by  the  Trustee  is  in 
excess  of  $100,000. 

The  spiritual  prosperity  of  the  Church  is  received  as  the  answer 
to  the  prayers  of  Pastor  and  people  on  the  ministrations  of  the 
pulpit  and  on  pastoral  visitations.  The  number  of  societies 
working  in  tlie  Church  itself  and  in  the  missions  of  Bethan}'' 
Chapel  and  Gurley  Mission  attests  also  tlie  good  spirit  which, 
under  God's  blessing,  prevails. 

Church  Officers. — Pastor,  William  Alvin  Bartlett,  D.  D., 
1201  K  street.  The  Manse ;  Elders,  C.  B.  Bailey,  H.  A.  Claugh- 
ton,  S.  L.  Crissey,  J.  W.  Foster,  S.  F.  Phillips,  N.  A.  Robbins, 
J.  Randolph,  C.  B.  Walker,  H.  H.  Wells;  Deacotis,  F.  O.  Beckett, 
C.  H.  Merwin,  L.  S.  Emery,  C.  E.  Foster,  J.  R.  Imbrie,  P.  F. 
Earner,  C.  S.  Bradley,  R.  P.  A.  Denham,  B.  Taylor,  W.  B.  Gurley, 
J.  D,  McChesney,  J.  R.  Van  Meter;  Sitperlntendent  of  Church 
Sab  hath- School,  J.  R.  VanMeter;  Superintendent  of  Gurley 
Mission  Sahhath- School,  N.  A.  Rol)bins ;  Trustees,  J.  P.  Chap- 
man, L.  Clephane,  W.  Thompson,  N.  D.  Larner,  J.  W.  Thomp- 
son, J.  W.  Douglas,  W.  M.  Gait,  B.  H.  Warner. 


The  Fourth  Church,  gth  Street,  1828. 

The  organization  of  this  Church  was  the  result  of  some  dissatis- 
faction entertained,  by  tneml)ers  of  the  old  "  Second  Church," 
with  the  means  alleged  to  have  been  eluployed  in  the  election  of 
a  successor  to  the  Rev.  Daniel  Baker,  at  the  time  of  his  resigna-  • 
tion  of  the  pastorate,  1828.  The  objections,  it  is  believed,  wei-e 
chiefly  against  the  use  of  2')roxies.  October  29th  of  that  year, 
twenty-three  of  these  members,  meeting  at  the  liouse  of  Mr. 
Jacob  Gideon,  associated  themselves  in  a  new  organization  to  l)e 
known  as  "  the  Central  Presbj'terian  Society,"  the  Rev.  Joshua 
N.  Danforth  to  be  their  Pastor  and  Mr.  David  M.  Wilson  their 
Ruling  Elder.  In  January  1829,  they  were  enrolled  under  the 
care  of  the  Presbytery  of  the  District  as  "  the  Fourth  Presby- 
terian Church,"  and  leave  granted  them  to  employ  the  services 
of  Rev.  Mr.  Danforth,  who  was  received  in  April  of  the  year 
following  from  tlie  Presbytery  of  Newcastle.  Their  first  churcli 
building  was  a  very  unpretending  one,  on  the  east  side  of  the 
street  on  which  tiie  present  house  stands.  It  was  dedicated 
March  1st  of  the  preceding  year.  Rev.  John  Breckenridge,  of 
Kentucky,  officiating. 

The  ministry  of  Mr.  Danforth  was  much  blessed,  extending  to 
the  year  1832,  when  Rev.  Mason  Noble  was  installed,  under 
whose  ministry  the  church  was  further  enlarged  in  nund)ers,  and 
its  influence  extended  in  the  city.  On  the  release  of  Mr.  Noble 
Sept.,  11  1889,  to  accept  a  call  to  the  Eleventh  Church  in  New 
York,  the  pulpit  was  supplied  by  Rev.  J.  L.  Bartlett  until, 
in  September  of  the  same  year,  having  made  a  unanimous 
call  to  Rev.  John  C.  Smith,  of  the  Bridge -street,  George- 
town, he  was  installed  by  the  Presbytery  of  the  District. 
Dr.  Smith's  ministry  extended  through  the  long  period  of 
nearly  forty  years.  It  was  one  of  fruitful  increase  to  tlie 
membership  and  influence  of  the  Church.  His  previous  expe- 
riences in  the  service  of  the  "  Domestic  Missionary  Society 
of  Richmond,  and  his  pastoral  work  in  Portsmouth,  Virginia, 
and  in  Georgetown  had  been  characterized  by  the  same  spirit 
of  devout  consecration  that  now  showed  itself  through  the 
whole  period  of  his  labors  for  the  Fourth  Church.     Declining  a 


46 

call  to  a  pastorate  in  Philadelphia,  Dr.  Smith  entered  on  a  most 
active  work  to  promote  the  spiritual  state  of  his  new  charge.  A 
series  of  meetings,  protracted  through  months  of  solicitude,  re- 
sulted in  the  addition  of  nearly  fifty  new  members. 

Tlie  increase  of  the  congregation  early  demanded  the  erection 
of  a  larger  liouse  of  worslnp,  the  corner-stone  of  which  was  laid 
«June  24,  184:0,  and  the  Church  dedicated  free  from  debt  on  the 
20th  of  June,  of  the  year  following.  On  that  occasion.  Rev. 
Edward  Kirk,  of  Boston,  Rev.  John  Mines  and  Rev.  William 
McLain  assisted  tlie  Pastor.  Early  in  Dr.  Smith's  Ministry  he 
arranged  a  plan  of  Pastoral  Visitation  by  wliicli  he  faitlifully 
visited  every  family  in  the  Church  three  times  in  the  year  ;  refer- 
ring to  which,  in  a  sermon  to  his  people  in  1845,  he  said :  "  My 
"  l)ooks  will  show  that  I  have  carefully  executed  my  plan  ;  I  can 
"  tell  where  I  have  been  and  what  I  have  been  doing  for  the  last 
"  twenty-five  years  ;  I  am  going  to  the  judgment  seat  of  Christ 
"  with  these  records.  I  renew  to-day  my  consecration."  Wiien 
the  late  war  began  and  the  national  troops  were  arriving  in  the 
city,  he  immediately  took  liis  stand  for  the  Union. 

He  made  the  duties  of  the  hour  the  subject  of  a  special  appeal 
to  his  people,  and  soon  entered  on  the  additional  labors  of  visit- 
ing the  sick  and  wounded  in  the  different  hospitals  of  the  city. 

Disabled  partially  from  the  active  duties  of  the  pulpit  daring 
the  years  immediately  preceding  his  death,  he  enlisted  the  ser- 
vices of  Rev.  Joseph  T.  Kelly,  as  co-Pastor,  who  entered  on  these 
duties  May  5,  187-4,  and  succeeded  to  the  full  pastorate  at  the 
death  of  Dr.  Smith,  Jan'y  23,  1878. 

Church  Record. 
Organized  24th  November,  1828.  Pastors  and  Stated  Sup- 
plies: Rev.  J.  N.  Danforth,  S.  S.,  from  organization  to  April, 
1832;  Rev.  Mason  Noble,  Pastor,  from  June,  1832,  to  11th  Sep- 
tember, 1839  ;  Rev.  John  C.  Smith,  Pastor,  27th  September,  1839, 
to  23d  January,  1878  ;  Rev.  J.  T.  Kelly,  Pastor,  5th  May,  1874. 
Elders — Class  of  1889 — Robert  S.  Jordan,  Daniel  McFarlan, 
Thomas  McGill; — Class  of  1888 — Joseph  A.  Sterling,  John  B. 
Sleman  ; — Class  of  1887 — Henry  J.  Hunt.  Joseph  A.Sterling, 
Clerk;  Robert  S.  Jordan,  Treasurer.  Trustees — D.  P.  Wol- 
haupter,  Frank  L.  Middleton,  John  A.  Prescott,  Robert  H. 
Harkness,  John  W.  Hollyday. 


The  Fifteenth  Street  Church. --1841. 

This  Church  was  founded  in  the  labors  and  prayers  of  Elder 
D.  M.  Wilson,  formerly  of  the  Second  Presbyterian  organiza- 
tion, and  those  of  Rev.  John  F.  Cook.  Mr.  Cook  was  hopefully 
converted  in  tiie  prayer  meetings  held  through  Mr.  Wilson's  in-- 
strumentality,  and  following  the  example  and  efforts  of  Mr.  Wil- 
son, who  was  among  the  first  to  labor  for  the  religious  good  of 
the  colored  people  of  Washington,  began  in  1842  to  gather  his 
friends  in  a  Sabbath  School  on  H  and  Fourteenth  Street,  enlist- 
ing them  in  the  hope,  also,  of  organization  as  a  Church.  This 
was  effected  May  14,  1S42,  b}'  an  enrollment  on  the  lists  of 
the  Presl)ytery  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  as  "  the  First 
Colored  Presbyterian  Church  of  Washington." 

Forty  communicants  of  this  organization  worshipped  in 
"  Cook's  school-house, "  at  the  location  just  named,  until  they 
were  enabled  by  the  assistance  of  the  First,  Second  and  Fourth 
Churches  to  build  a  small  frame  on  the  site  of  their  present 
Church.  Rev,  J.  C.  Smith  was  from  the  first  their  warm  friend 
and  helper  by  his  counsels  and  contributions.  He  preached  the 
sermon  at  the  ordination  and  installation  of  Mr.  Cook,  July  14, 
1843. 

The  narratives  of  the  Church,  embodied  in  the  report  of  the 
Presbytery  to  the  General  Assembly  in  1849  and  1853,  speak 
most  encouragingly  of  the  growth  and  prospects  of  the  people, 
the  erection  of  their  present  edifice  on  Fifteenth  Street  having 
been  then  begun. 

The  congregation  under  Mr.  Cook's  labors  had  very  largely 
increased,  but  the  faithful  pastor  was  worn  down  by  the  efforts 
made  for  his  Church  while  at  the  same  time  eno-aged  in  the  lal)or- 
ious  daily  duties  of,  a  teacher.  He  was  called  to  his  reward  in 
the  year  1855. 

From  this  date.  Revs.  W.  Catto,  in  ,1858,  and  B.  F.  Tanner, 
in  1861,  were  installed  Pastors,  and  the  Church,  in  1864,  becom- 
ing vacant,  was  supplied  for  several  months  chiefly  l)y  Rev.  W. 
B.  Evans,  until  the  installation  of  Mr.  H.  H.  Garnett,  whose 
pastoral  relation  was  dissolved  October  3,  1866.  After  the 
stated  supply  by  Rev.  J.  H.  Muse,  Rev.  Sella  Martin  was  Pas- 


48 

tor  from  December  27,  1868,  to  February  18,  1870,  when 
the  Church  again  becoming  vacant  was  regularly  supplied  by 
Dr.  S.  Tustin  until  the  settlement  of  Rev.  G.  VanDeurs  in  1874, 
followed  by  that  of  ^ev.  J.  Brown,  1875,  and  F.  J.  Grimke, 
1878  to  1885. 

After  Mr.  Grimke's  resignation  in  1885,  the  pulpit  was  filled 
l>y  Rev.  C.  H.  A.  Buckley,  D.  D.,  one  of  the  Professors  of 
Howard  University,  by  appointment  of  Presbytery  Moderator, 
also  of  the  Session.  January  18,  1887,  Rev.  J.  R.  Riley,  of 
Louisville,  Kentucky,  was  installed,  Rev.  Dr.  Bartlett  preaching 
the  sermon  ;  the  charges  to  Pastor  and  people  being  delivered  by 
Rev.  Dr.  Sunderland  and  Rev.  J,  E.  Nourse. 

The  Report  of  this  charge  to  the  General  Assembly  of  1887 
gives  a  roll  of  210  meml)ers  ;  of  the  Sal)l)ath  School  an  equal 
number.  Total  of  moneys  raised  during  the  year  for  congrega- 
tional and  benevolent  agencies,  $1,638.  The  Church  holds  an 
important  position  as  the  only  one  among  our  colored  people  in 
Washington  under  the  influence  of  the  educated  Ministry  of  our 
Church.  Its  Pastors  have  been  men  of  sound  theological  train- 
ing. Its  influence  may  be  expected  to  be  that  of  solid  principles 
and  warm  piety  among  a  large  membership  and  attendance. 

The  pastorate  was  again  vacated  December  28,  '87. 

Elders^  David  Fisher,  II.  F.  Grant,  James  Meriwether,  Henry 
W.  Lee. 

Trustees^  F.  J.  Shadd,  F.  L.  Cardoza,  W.  D.  Montague,  Joseph 
Morrison,  Aaron  Russell,  J.  T.  Gaskins,  J.  R.  Francis,  W.  T. 
Crusor,  W.  A.  Stuart. 

The  building  on  15th  street  was  erected  and  furnished  largely 
by  the  aid  of  our  other  Churclies  here.  It  holds  a  central  and 
commanding  position,  and  is  worth  over  $55,000. 


The  Assembly  Church,  March  9,  1853,  5th  and  I  Streets. 

The  present  name  of  this  Church  was"  authorized  by  the  Pres- 
bytery of  the  District  of  Columbia,  in  1855,  in  commemoration 
of  the  previous  meeting  of  the  General  Assembly  (N.  S.),  in 
Washirio-ton.     It  had  been  enrolled  in  1853  as  the  Fifth  Church. 

For  months  previous  to  its  organization,  prayer  meetings  had 
been  continuously  held  l)y  Elder  D.  M.  Wilson  of  the  Fourth 
Church,  sustained  by  the  hearty  support  of  his  Pastor,  Rev.  J. 
C.  Smith,  and  by  the  labors  of  Messrs.  Stansbury,  Bogan,  and 
Clements,  members  of  that  Church.  Tlie  organization  embraced 
but  20  members  over  whom  Rev.  Andrew  G.  Carothers  was  in- 
stalled Pastor,  and  Messrs.  John  Douglas  and  John  T.  Clements 
Ruling  Elders. 

Contributions  for  the  new  church  were  received  from  22  States 
of  the  Union. 

In  November,  I860,  Mr.  Carother  s^'health  failing  him,  he  was 
released  to  seek  restoration  in  a  Southern  climate,  but  died  in 
1863,  on  the  Island  of  Martinique,  W.  I. 

In  May  of  the  year  following,  Rev.  Thaddeus  B.  McFalls,  who 
had  been  received  by  the  Presl)ytery  from  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal body,  was  installed  as  Mr.  Carothers'  successor,  but  his 
health  also  failing  he  was  released  December  10,  1867.  His 
strength  had  been  much  impaired  by  his  services  as  Chaplain 
during  the  war ;  he  died  in  Washington,  at  the  early  age  of  38, 
May  22,  1873,  having  fulfilled  most  faithfully  the  services  also 
of  Stated  Clerk  of  the  Pi-esbytery  from  its  organization  of  the 
consolidated  body  in  1870. 

After  the  brief  pastorate  of  Rev.  Wm.  Hart,  1868  to  1870,  a 
union  was  effected  October  5th  of  that  year,  under  Dr.  Cliarles 
Boynton,  then  Pastor  of  "  the  Central  Congregational  Church  " 
on  Slth  street,  between  the  members  of  that  Cliurch  (then  dis- 
banded) and  those  of  the  Assembly's. 

Dr.  Boynton  was  installed  over  the  united  congregation,  and 
remained  with  it  until  his  release  to  accept  a  call  to  Cincinnati 
in  1873. 

The  present  pastor.  Rev.  George  O.  Little,  was  called  by  the 
Church  June  1  of  the  last-named  year. 


50 

The  Annual  Keport  presented  in  the  Church  Manual  for  1887 
states  that,  under  God's  blessing,  long  experienced  harmony  and 
activity  in  Cluirch  work  continues;  the  financial  condition  of  the 
Church  l)eing  also  in  advance  of  that  of  previous  years.  The 
membership  reported  to  the  Assembly  is  337.  Contributions  to 
the  various  Church  agencies  exceed  $1,000;  the  columns  for  our 
Boards  in  the  minutes  of  the  Assembly  l)eing  all  well  tilled.  The 
Sabbath-School  roll  sliows  a  membership  of  357;  57  of  the  scholars 
being  church  members.  The  attendance  of  the  scholars  on  tlie 
pulpit  administrations  was  an  average  of  58  per  cent,  of  the 
whole  number.  The  Library  of  the  School,  under  the  care  of 
Mr.  James  C.  S trout,  is  probably  the  model  for  its  keeping,  and 
its  records  show  the  number  of  volumes  to  be  2,361. 

Officers. — Rev.  Geo.  O.  Little,  Pastor.  Elders:  W.  J.  Red- 
strake,  L.  Holtzlander,  Chas.  Lyman,  N.  B.  Bartlett,  Thos.  P. 
Keene,  O.  B.  Brown.  Deacons  :  F.  L.  Campbell,  L.  C.  Wil- 
liamson. Trustees:  Thomas  R.  Senior,  W.  M,  Boyd,  A.  M. 
McBath,  L.  C.  Williamson,  Chas.  M.  Robinson,  Christian  Dickey ; 
Geo.  H.  Read,  Treasurer. 


Sixth  Church — March  30,  1853. 

The  Church  organization  was  the  fruit  of  the  abundant  labors 
of  JRev.  Mason  Noble,  who  held  in  1851  a  series  of  prayer-meet- 
ings in  private  residences  in  South  Washington,  chieHj  in  those 
of  Messrs.  Knight,  Hercus,  and  Thompson. 

Tliese  meetings  gave  such  promise  as  to  call  for  public  Sab- 
l)ath  services,  which  were  held  first  August  28, 1852,  in  "  Island 
Hall;"  a  Sabbath-School  of  50  members  being  also  opened.  Jan- 
uai-y  23,  1853,  at  a  meeting  presided  over  bj  Dr.  Noble,  32 
members  were  enrolled,  electing  Mr.  John  Knight  Ruling  Elder  • 
and  on  the  second  Sabbath  of  February,  at  the  first  Communion 
service,  these  were  joined  in  fellowship  by  members  of  First, 
Second,  and  Fourth  Churches. 

Dr.  Noble,  though  unable  to  accept  installation,  by  reason  of 
his  position  as  Chaplain  in  the  United  States  Navy,  served  the 
Church  in  the  full  ministrations  of  his  office  from  the  date  named 
until  1855,  and  resumed  his  labors  on  his  return  from  sea  duty, 
1858  to  1862 ;  and  again  from  1870  to  his  lamented  death,  Octo- 
ber 24,  1881. 

During  his  first  absence  the  pulpit  depended  on  the  Supply  by 
Rev.  B.  F.  Morris.  Rev.  Geo.  H.  Smyth  was  Pastor,  1864  to 
1869;  and  Rev.  Geo.  P.  Noble,  Stated  Supply  from  1869  until 
Dr.  Noble's  second  return  from  sea  duty.  Dr.  Noble's  labors 
were  abundantly  blessed,  and  the  Church  under  his  successors, 
though  composed  of  members  in  moderate  circumstances  only, 
has  kept  its  good  standing  in  the  community.  His  name  is 
much  revered. 

Rev.  Frank  H.  Burdick,  September  27,  1882,  was  elected 
Pastor,  and  installed  23d  April,  1884,  resigning  in  1887. 

The  present  Pastor,  Rev.  Scott  F.  Hershey,  Ph.  D.,  was  in- 
stalled October  5,  1887. 

The  roll  of  Communicants  numbers  165  ;  Sabbath-School,  150; 
value  of  Church,  property  and  manse,  $40,000. 

Officers. — Rev.  Scott  F.  Hershey,  Ph.  D.,  Pastor.  Elders  : 
Ros.  A.  Fish,  Jacob  De  Pue,  Geo.  C.  Hercus.  Trustees  ; 
Charles  B.  Pearson,  Ros.  A.  Fish,  Wra.  A.  Thompson,  Jno.  G. 
Thompson,  Clark  B.  Philips,  Jas.  C.  Lee,  Howard  S.  Reeside, 


^Vestminste^   Church,  June    14,  1853. 

In  his  historical  discourse,  delivered  October  3,  1886,  by  tlie 
Pastor  of  this  Cliurcli,  Rev.  Dr.  Benjamin  F.  Bittinger,  he 
speaks  tlins  of  its  founding : 

"  In  the  year  1851,  certain  friends  interested  in  Church  exten- 
sion, and  principally  connected  with  the  F  Street  Church,  hati 
their  attention  directed  to  the  growling  population  of  this  section 
of  the  city,  as  an  inviting  field  for  the  establishment  of  a  Church 
holding  our  doctrines  and  conforming  to  our  form  of  worship  and 
government.  Among  these  were  Bev.  James  Laurie,  D.  D.,  and 
Rev.  David  X.  Junkin,  D.  D.,  Pastors  of  tlie  F  Street  Church  ; 
Rev.  John  M.  P.  Atkinson,  D.  D.,  Pastor  of  the  Bridge  Street 
Church,  Georgetown,  D.  C;  and  Messrs.  Charles  Stott,  F.  A. 
Tschiffely,  Edward  M.  Clarke,  and  Gilbert  Cameron,  membei's 
of  the  F  Street  Church. 

"  After  examination  of  the  field  and  consultation  among  these 
gentlemen,  it  was  decided  to  bring  the  matter  to  the  notice  of 
the  Presbytery  of  Baltimore,  who  gave  their  sanction  and  prom- 
ised co-operation  and  aid  in  conducting  the  enterprise. 

"  At  first,  religious  services  were  held  in  the  Columbia  Engine 
House,  near  the  Capitol,  in  the  morning  of  the  Sabbatli,  and  in 
Potomac  Hall,  corner  of  Eleventh  street  and  Mar^dand  avenue, 
at  night.  The  congregations  gradually  grew  in  numbers,  a  Sab- 
bath-School was  gathered,  and  on  the  14th  of  June,  1853,  a 
Church  was  organized,  under  the  name  and  title  of  the  Seventh 
Street  Church,  of  Washington  City.  The  name  was  suggested 
by  the  fact  that  the  site  chosen  for  the  erection  of  a  Church 
edifice  was  on  that  street ;  the  site  being  generously  donated 
by  Mr.  Charles  Stott.  In  December,  1873,  by  a  vote  of  the  con- 
gregation, approved  by  the  Presbytery,  this  name  was  changed 
to  Westminster,  by  which,  as  an  incorporated  body,  it  is  now 
known  and  called." 

Mr.  Isaac  H.  Wailes  and  Mr.  John  K.  Woods  were  elected  the 
first  Elders  ;  Mr.  E.  Lycett  and  Mr.  E.  M.  Clark,  deacons.  Two 
years  afterwards,  Mr.  Wailes  having  died,  Dr.  J.  D.  Stewart 
and  Messrs.  Daniel  Davidson  and  Alexander  Garden  were  elected. 


53 

Pastors  and  Stated   Supplies. 

Rev.  John  M.  Henry,  installed  in  1853,  was  released  bj  reason 
of  ill  health,  in  1855,  having  by  his  consecrated  zeal  and  devotion 
endeared  himself  to  his  people.  His  pastorate  was  succeeded  by 
the  brief  service  of  Rev.  E.  B.  Clegliorn,  following  whom, 
Rev.  Dr.  B.  F.  Bittinger,  then  Pastor  of  the  Church  at  Lewins- 
ville,  Virginia,  accepted  a  call  and  was  installed  March  12,  1857. 
The  pulpit  becoming  again  vacant  by  his  removal  to  Ellicott's 
Mills,  in  June,  1863,  Rev.  William  Y.  Brown  and  Rev.  W.  W. 
Campbell  were  successively  its  Stated  Supplies,  the  latter  of 
whom  was  installed  Pastor  in  1865  ;  on  his  release,  1867,  Dr. 
Bittinger  was  again  invited,  and  was  installed  January  5,  1868. 

Though  not  maintained  by  a  wealthy  congregation  the  work 
of  the  Church  has  received  a  very  marked  influence  through  the 
liberality  of  its  membership  and  friends,  as  shown  by  their  out- 
lays, at  different  periods,  on  improvements  of  tlie  building  and 
the  purchase  of  the  Manse,  638  F  Street  S.W. 

The  collections  of  the  Mite  Society  alone  have  reached  the 
sum  of  $11,000.  The  Church  properties,  valued  at  $15,000,  are 
entirely  free  from  debt.  Regularity  of  attendance  on  the  min- 
istrations of  the  pulpit  and  the  interest  shown  in  the  different 
branches  of  the  work  of  the  Church  commend  themselves  to  the 
people.  The  whole  pastoral  relation  manifestly  has  been,  and 
is,  productive  of  permanent  growth.  In  Dr.  McFall's  MSS.,  he 
writes:  "Dr.  Bittinger  has  been  very  successful  in  his  present 
"  charge.  He  has  an  intelligent  and  devoted  people  who  are 
"  ready  to  assist  him  in  his  plans  of  usefulness."  From  its  first 
organization  the  Church  has  received  to  its  membership  415  per- 
sons;  212  by  profession.  Number  reported  to  the  Assembly  of 
1887,  151 ;  of  Sabbath  School  scholars,  165.  The  columns 
given  in  the  minutes,  for  contributions  to  the  Boards,  are  all 
filled. 

Officers  of  the  Church. — Pastor^  Benjamin  F.  Bittinger,  D, 
D.,  638  F  street  S.W.  (The  Manse) ;  Ruling  Elders,  Alexander 
Garden,  Daniel  D.  Davidson,  Charles  B.  Church,  Abraham 
Depue  ;  Deacons^  Samuel  W.  K.  Handy,  Thomas  Taylor  ;  Trus- 
tees :  Joseph  M.  Wilson,  President ;  J.  Whitley  Herron,  Secre- 
tary ;  Abraham  Depue,  Treasurer ;  David  E.  Holmes,  Albert 
G.  Yount,  Lawrence  H.  Hopkins,  William  A.  H.  Church,  Oliver 
O.  Spicer,  George  Messer. 


The   Western  Presbyterian  Church. — 1855. 

This  Church,  like  the  Assembly's  and  the  Fifteenth  Street, 
owes  its  foundation  under  God  to  the  devoted  labors  of  Elder 
David  M.  Wilson,  of  the  Fourth  Church.  As  early  as  1848, 
witli  the  experience  gained  by  this  servant  of  the  Master  in  the 
Sabbath-School,  the  Tract  and  the  Bible  cause,  he  commenced 
missionary  laljors  in  the  "  First  Ward,"  holding  prayer-meetings 
first  in  private  houses  near  the  Old  Glass  House,  and  next  at  a 
Chapel  erected  near  the  corner  of  22d  and  E  streets.  A  Sabbath- 
School  was  opened  and  two  weekly  services  held.  The  work 
meeting  with  the  Divine  favor,  as  shown  by  a  number  of  liopeful 
conversions,  application  was  early  made  to  the  Presbytery  for  the 
organization  of  a  Church,  and  in  April,  1854,  an  invitation  was 
extended  to  Rev.  T.  N.  Haskell,  of  the  Union  Theological  Sem- 
inary, to  become  the  Pastor.  He  preached  his  first  sermon  May 
14  of  the  same  year. 

In  August  the  corner-stone  of  a  house  of  worship  was  laid 
Rev.  Drs.  Smith  and  Sunderland  ofiiciating,  and  pledging  with 
others  their  hearty  support.  January  13  a  formal  organization 
was  made,  twenty-four  members  being  enrolled,  about  one-half 
by  certificate  from  the  Fourth  Church,  the  rest  on  profession. 
Rev.  Mr.  Haskell  was  elected  Pastor  and  Mr.  Wilson  Ruling: 
Elder.  Mr.  Haskell  was  ordained  and  installed  in  the  month  of 
February. 

The  first  trustees  were  Messrs.  W.  F.  Steiger,  A.  W.  Denham, 
T.  F.  Harkness,  and  C.  H.  YanPatten.  The  new  enterprise  sus- 
tained a  most  serious  loss  in  the  death  (February  26,  1856)  of 
Elder  Wilson,  to  whose  memory  is  due  the  record  of  one  of  his 
Pastors  in  the  words,  "  He  was  the  most  heavenly-minded  man  I 
ever  knew." 

The  Church  edifice  was  completed  and  dedicated  June  17, 1857. 
In  the  year  succeeding,  a  season  of  gracious  refreshing  was  en- 
joyed, adding  a  number  to  the  Communion  of  the  Church.  Rev. 
T.  N.  Haskell  resigned  his  pastorate  May  11,  1858,  and  from  this 
date  to  April  of  the  following  year  the  pulpit  was  supplied  prin- 
cipally by  Prof.  Huntington,  of  Columbian  College. 

Rev.  J.  R.  Bartlett,  installed  August  31, 1859,  removed  to  the 


55 

South  at  the  beginning  of  the  late  war;  in  March,  1862,  Rev. 
J.  N.  Coorabs,  who  had  been  a  Minister  in  the  Methodist  Church, 
was  received  from  that  body  and  installed.  The  violent  death  of 
Mr.  Coombs,  by  his  own  hands,  during  a  time  of  mental  aberra- 
tion, December  27,  1874,  was  a  most  lamented  and  serious 
blow  to  the  Cliurch.  During  liis  pastorate,  as  many  as  40  names 
had  been  added  to  its  mmnbership,  and  his  Ministry  and  Presby- 
terian services  had  been  tliose  of  acknowledged  devotion  to  the 
work  of  the  Master ;  the  building  liad  been  remodeled  and  re- 
furnished. Mr.  Coombs'  funeral  services  were  largely  attended. 
By  his  amiable  maimers  and  devoted  zeal  he  had  greatly  en- 
deared himself  to  the  people  and  the  community. 

March  1,  1875,  Rev.  Dr.  David  Wills,  of  the  Presbytery  of 
Marion,  Georgia,  was  elected  Pastor  and  installed.  May  9th  of  that 
year  remaining  until  January  28, 1878.  During  his  Ministry,  Dr 
Wills  gave  to  his  people  a  carefully  prepared,  and  very  interesting 
history  of  the  work  of  the  Church  from  the  time  of  its  organizntion. 
"  Since  that  time  373  had  been  in  its  connection  ;  188,  received 
ou  profession.  All  of  the  first  members  except  four  had  '  fallen 
on  sleep.'  "  Dr.  Wills  entered  on  the  duties  of  Chaplain  in  the 
United  States  Army  ;  he  is  now  the  Pastor  of  a  Church  in  Phila. 
delphia. 

The  present  Pastor,  Rev.  T.  S.  Wynkoop,  was  installed  Octo. 
23,  1878.  His  work  continues  to  be  that  of  a  Minister  emincjntly 
successful  in  pulpit  Ministrations  and  Visitation  among  the  peo- 
ple. The  Minutes  of  the  Assembly  show  a  large  increase  in  the 
power  of  the  Church,  which  holds  an  important  position  as  the 
only  one  of  our  faith  and  order  in  this  part  of  the  city. 

The  roll  of  Communicants  numbers  290,  and  the  different  or 
ganizations  for  Church  work  prove  its  spiritual  activity. 

Additions  during  the  year  1886,  21 ;  the  columns  given  to  the 
Boards  of  Church  in  the  Minutes  are  each  largely  filled. 

Officers. — Pastor^  Rev.  T.  S.  Wynkoop  ;  Elders^  C.  D.  Drake, 
J.  W.  Easby,  W.  H.  H.  Smith,  J.  T.  Sweetman  ;  Beacons,  L. 
C.  Denham,  J.  C.  Allen,  R.  Armour,  H.  P.  Catell,  J.  A.  Wor- 
tham,  W.  II.  Pearson  ;  Trustees,  G.  H.  Mcllhany,  M.  R.  Throop^ 
R.  Armour,  A.  Webster,  J.  C.  Allen,  J.  B.  Lambie,  C.  F.  Moore, 
W.  C.  Bickford,  J.  J.  Gregg. 


Metropolitan  Presbyterian  Church,  Fourth  and  B  Streets 

Southeast. 

Originally  called  the  Capitol  Hill  Presbyterian  Church,  this 
organization  resulted  from  the  earnest  desire  of  a  few  active 
Christians  in  tliat  section  of  the  city  for  a  church  based  upon  the 
doctrines  and  form  of  government  of  our  Westminster  standards. 
The  growth  of  this  section  liad  already  begun,  yet,  since  tlie  re- 
moval of  the  First  Presl)yterian  Church  in  1827  to  Four-and-a- 
half  street  N.W.,  no  efforts  lind  l)een  nmde  for  the  establishment 
of  a  Presbyterian  Chui-ch  on  the  Hill  until  the  visits  of  Rev.  Dr. 
John   Chester  in  1864. 

Dr.  Cliester's  lirst  services  were  held  February  28,  1864,  in  a 
school-building  near  Dudington  Place,  the  attendants  being  ^5 
in  number. 

Although  started  in  tlie  war  times,  the  indications  of  Provi- 
dence were  so  encouraging  that,  on  the  11th  of  April,  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Potomac  organized  a  church  of  34  members,  and 
installed  Dr.  Chester  as  Pastor,  Rev.  Dr.  Gurley  preaching  the 
sermon,  Drs.  Tustin  and  Brown  delivering  the  charges  to  the 
people  and  Pastor.  Mr.  Chas.  E.  Latlirop  and  Mr.  Robt.  Leitch 
were  elected  Elders,  and  Messrs.  J.  R.  Arrison,  J.  T.  Burchard, 
and  James  Simpson,  Deacons. 

The  organization  was  in  a  larger  school-room,  3d  and  A  streets 
southeast.  During  the  summer,  by  invitation  of  Hon.  B.  B. 
Fi'ench,  Commissioner  of  Public  Buildings,  the  congregation 
worshipped  in  the  Capitol  in  the  Rooms  of  the  Post  Office  Com- 
mittee of  the  House  of  Representatives.  Large  audiences  at- 
tended, and  the  Ordinances  of  Baptism  and  the  Lord's  Supper 
were  here  administered. 

February  12,  1865,  the  first  frame  Chapel,  30  x  50  feet,  was 
dedicated  on  the  site  of  the  present  edifice,  entirely  free  from 
debt.  Its  materials  had  been  prepared  in  Burlington,  N.  J.,  Dr. 
Chester's  former  pastorate  residence.  Its  cost  with  that  of  the 
lot  was  $4,000.  Meml)ers  of  the  congregation  and  of  other 
Presl>yterian  cluirches  in  Washington  contributed  this  money. 
A  Sabbath  School  was  begun  in  it  February,  1865,  with  210 
scholars.     This   number,   as  well  as  that  of  the    congregation, 


57 

rapidly  increasing,  it  soon  became  evident  that  a  larger  building 
would  be  required  ;  in  February,  1869,  the  corner-stone  of  the 
present  edifice  was  laid. 

Tlie  very  marked  success,  which  the  favor  of  God  had  thus 
shown  to  this  work,  now  prompted  the  Presbytery  of  Potomac  to 
overture  the  General  Asseml)ly  to  incorporate  with  the  Church 
the  proceeds  of  the  property  on  E  Street,  N.W.,  which  had  been 
long  held  in  the  expectancy  of  establishing  there  a  Metropolitan 
Church.  The  transfer  of  this,  valued  at  $27,000,  was  ordered 
by  the  General  Assembly  of  1868.  Long  delays,  however,  oc- 
curred in  the  course  of  this  transfer  and  in  the  building  of  the 
present  edifice.  The  name  of  the  Church  was  then  changed  to 
that  of  the  Metropolitan  Presbyterian. 

Deceml)er  8,  1872,  the  Dedication  took  place,  and  by  the 
Spring  of  1878  the  Pastor  had  the  pleasure  of  announcing  in  a 
historical  discourse  that  the  property  was  entirely  free  from 
debt.  At  that  date  the  organization  of  1864  with  34  members, 
had  added  521  members,  255  on  profession. 

It  has  been  made  evident  to  the  visitors  to  this  Church  during 
the  ten  years  which  have  pnssed  since  the  delivery  of  this  Pastor's 
"Jubilee"  sermon  that  no  other  people  witliin  the  bounds  of  the 
Presbytery  have  been  more  favored  with  seasons  of  refreshing 
from  on  High.  The  additions  which  have  been  continuously 
made  to  the  membership  have  been  the  results  of  the  regular 
ministry  of  the  pulpit  and  of  pastoral  visitations,  which  promise 
more  of  solidity  and  permanence  than  from  occasional  extra 
measures  for  reviving  the  work  of  God  among  His  people  and 
among  the  unconverted.  They  have  been  numerous.  The  popu- 
lation of  the  vicinity  and  its  borders  has  also  steadily  increased 
opening  up  the  opportunity  for  the  establishment  of  a  Mission 
further  East,  out  of  which  a  new  enterprise  is  looked  for. 

By  the  generous  donation,  chiefly  of  the  late  General  William 
McK.  Dunn,  and  under  the  care  of  the  Presbyterian  Alliance  of 
this  city,  a  lot  has  been  purchased  for  the  future  erection  of  a 
Church  ;  a  Mission  Sal>bath-School,  which  originated  under  the 
combined  effort  of  the  Metropolitan  and  Eastern  Presbyterian 
Churches,  is  now  wholly  maintained  and  conducted  by  the 
Metropolitan  Church.  It  is  sufiicient  testimony  to  the  results  of 
the  enterprise  begun   in  1864,  that,  at  this  day,  under  the   bless 


58 

ing  of  God,  a  colony  can  ])e  spared  for  this  new  effort  without 
harming  the  Metropolitan  Church. 

The  minutes  of  the  General  Assembly  for  1887  show  a  roll  of 
members,  505,  and  of  Sabl)ath  scholars,  637.  Columns  of  con- 
tributions to  tlie  agencies  of  tho  Assembly  are  all  well  tilled,  the 
total  of  moneys  for  all  objects  exceeding  the  sum  of  8,500  dollars. 

Officers. — Kev.  John  Chester,  D.  D.,  Pastor.  Elders  :  E,. 
Leitch,  J.  E..  Zimmerman,  W.  H.  Barstow,  J.  Ridout,  M.  Van 
Ness,  John  C.  Baxter,  Edie  Pollock,  Theodore  Swazey.  Deacons  : 
W.  H.  Clum,  H.  K.  Simpson,  J.  H.  O'Donnell,  J.  H.  Beatty, 
W.  Dubois,  F.  Aldrich,  G.  P.  Bohrer,  W:  T.  Yan  Doren. 
Trustees  :  J.  Ridout,  J.  Burrows,  G.  N.  West,  C.  T.  Stewart, 
W.  R.  Russell,  F.  A.  Grant,  E.  C.  Fawcett,  T.  G.  Jones,  D.  F. 
McGowan. 


The  North  Church,  1865. 

A  number  of  members  of  the  New  York  Avenue  Church, 
chiefly  those  residing  in  the  section  of  the  city  formerly  called 
the  Northern  Liberties,  having  previously  to  the  year  1865  in- 
terested themselves  in  the  work  of  a  Sabbath-School,  there  pre- 
sented to  the  Presbytery  of  Potomac  the  question  of  organizing 
a  Presbyterian  Church.  In  reply,  the  Presbytery  appointed  Rev. 
Wm.  Y.  Brown  and  Gen'l  E.  C.  Carrington  a  Committee  on  this 
subject,  recommended  that  all  the  Presbyterian  families  of  the 
neighborhood  should  identify  themselves  with  the  enterprise,  and 
assured  them  of  moral  and  material  aid. 

March  15,  of  the  same  year,  at  a  meeting  held  in  the  school- 
house,  10th  and  M  streets,  a  fall  conference  of  the  representa- 
tives of  these  families  resulted  in  a  request  for  aid  from  the  Ses- 
sion of  the  N.  Y.  Avenue  Church  to  establish  a  Mission  and 
erect  a  building  for  a  Sabbath-School  and  for  prayer-meetings. 
The  chief  promoters  of  the  enterprise  were  Rev.  Dr.  Gurley  and 
Messrs.  Kerr,  Ballantyne,  Shepherd,  Tschiffeley,  Winslow,  Rams- 
dell,  Roberts,  Musser,  and  Smith.  They  found  a  ready  hearing 
from  the  Session,  which  authorized  the  purchase  of  a  lot,  and  the 
employment  of  a  Missionary.  Under  the  care  of  Rev.  L.  R.  Fox, 
a  Church  of  23  members  was  organized  Dec.  4th,  and  Mr.  Fox 
installed  Pastor  Dec.  31,  1865.  A  Church  edifice,  costing  with, 
its  lots  (N,  between  9th  and  10th  streets  N.  W.)  $8,750,  had 
been  dedicated  Dec.  3d. 

Under  the  ministry  of  six  years  of  Rev.  Mr.  Fox,  128  mem- 
bers were  added  to  the  Con^munion,  36  on  profession.  The  pas- 
toral relation  was  dissolved  Dec.  26,  1871.  Under  the  succeed- 
ing Pastorates  of  Rev.  J.  G.  Mason,  Oct.  24,  1872,  to  Dec.  28, 
1874,  47  members  were  received ;  21  on  profession. 

The  present  Pastor,  Rev.  Chas.  B.  Ramsdell,  was  installed  by 
the  Presbytery  of  Washington  City,  Dec.  13, 1875  ;  since  which 
date  253  members  bave  been  received;  122  by  profession.  The 
whole  number  of  the  membership  has  thus  resulted  in  an  aggre- 
gate of  457  ;  of  whom  182,  on  profession.  In  1878  the  original 
building  was  much  enlarged  at  the  cost  of  $5,000.     The  total 


60 

value  of  the  property  is  estimated  at  $26,500,  and  is  wholly  free 
from  debt. 

At  present,  the  Church  is  sustained  by  voluntary  contributions, 
finding  this  system  preferable  to  the  former  methods  of  pew  rents. 
S_ystematic  benevolence  lias  been  lately  reintroduced  with  good 
results.  The  seating  capacity  of  the  Church  is  about  500 ;  its 
lot  lai"ge  enough  to  admit  the  erection  of  a  suitable  front  for  a 
much  needed  lecture  and  Sunday-School  room.  The  roll  of 
communicants  numbers  150;  of   Sabbath-School  members,  202. 

Officers  of  the  Church. — Pastor,  Rev.  Charles  B.  Ramsdell. 
Kiders,  Samuel  Ker,  J.  P.  Jones,  John  L.  Brown,  C,  H.  Car- 
rington,  J.  B.  Linton.  Deacons,  George  McKimmie,  George  J. 
Davis,  Samuel  J.  Armstrong.  Trustees,  C.  B.  Rarnsdell,  R. 
Duryee,  John  G.  Townsend,  E.  H.  Chamberlin,  Walter  M.  Pum- 
phrey,  Charles  T.  Caldwell,  R.  W.  Hobson. 


Eastern  Presbyterian  Church,  Eighth  Street,  1875. 

The  Church  owes  its  founding  to  the  blessing  of  God  upon  an 
awakening  in  1871,  in  Dr.  Smith's  Church,  Ninth  Street,  of  a 
renewed  interest  in  the  cause  of  Home  Missions,  which  took  the 
direction  of  inquiries  as  to  a  work  of  evangelization  within  the 
city  limits.  At  the  urgent  request  of  Mr.  F.  C.  Cute,  a  member 
of  that  Church,  a  committee  appointed  for  such  inquiry  selected 
a  location  north  of  East  Capitol  Street,  near  where  the  present 
building  stands. 

June  11th,  of  the  year  named,  a  Sabbath  School  was  opened 
with  an  attendance  of  thirteen  scholars,  in  a  private  residence, 
Mr.  F.  C.  Cate  being  elected  Superintendent,  with  Mr.  R.  H,  T. 
Liepold  as  his  Assistant,  and  Mr.  B.  H.  Warner,  Librarian  and 
Treasurer.  Mr.  Moses  Kelly,  one  of  the  Elders  of  the  Fourth 
Church,  donated  live  lots  on  Eighth  Street,  on  which,  with  aid 
from  other  first  friends  of  the  enterprise  in  1872,  a  frame  Chapel 
was  erected.  June  18th,  of  that  year,  religious  services  were 
begun,  the  attendance  on  the  Sabbath  School  liaving  rapidly  in- 
creased and  tlie  private  residence  being  too  straitened  for  either 
this  or  for  divine  services. 

Rev.  J.  T.  Kelly,  then  completing  his  studies  at  tlie  Theolog- 
ical Seminary  of  Princeton,  was  engaged  to  supply  tlie  pulpit 
and  continued  with  the  congregation  until  his  election  as  co-Pas- 
tor with  Dr.  Smith.  Rev.  George  B.  Patch  then  carried  for- 
ward the  preparatory  work  securing  an  organization  as  a  Church 
May  9,  1875.  The  committee  constituting  this  were  Dr.  J. 
C.  Smith,  Dr.  J.  Chester  and  Elder  D.  M(tFarlan.  Mr.  Patch 
was  installed  November  1,  1875.  The  number  of  members  was 
33.     Mr.  F.  C.  Cate  and  L.  Chappel  were  elected  Ruling  Elders. 

After  the  resignation  in  1881  by  Rev.  Mr.  Patch  to  enter  on 
his  work  for  the  Unity  Church,  Rev.  S.  S.  Wallen  received  from 
the  Presbytery  of  Otsego,  New  York,  was  installed  April  10  of 
the  year  following,  and  continued  with  the  Church  until  the  au- 
tumn of  1883. 

The  present  Pastor,  Rev.  Eugene  Peck,  was  received  from  the 
Presbytery  of  Otsego,  New  York,  February,  4  1884,  and  in- 
stalled over  the  Church  on  the  13th  of  that  month.     The  active 


62 

membership  numbers  80;  the  Sabbath-School  roll  shows  an 
average  attendance  of  350 ;  its  teachers  and  officers  number  35, 
its  infant  school,  under  Mrs.  S.  J.  Vanghan,  averages  1 00.  Three 
missionary  societies  are  in  progress :  two  under  the  ladies,  and 
one  sustained  by  the  Sabbath- School  scholars.  A  society  among 
the  young  people  holds  weekly  meetings  for  worship  and  for  the 
study  of  the  Scriptures. 

With  tliese  activities  in  Churcli  work  and  an  increased  attend- 
ance in  a  still  rapidly  growing  section  of  the  city,  the  congrega- 
tion are  looking  forward  in  the  hopes  of  a  successful  eifort  to 
erect  a  house  of  worship  sufficient  to  accommodate  a  needy  popu- 
lation. Their  present  building  is  not  only  too  straitened  but 
frail  and  uncomfoi-table  ;  their  lots  are  ample  and  eligibly  located. 

Officers. — Pastor^  Eev.  Eugene    Peck.    Elder,  F.  C.  Gate. 


Unity  Church,  1884. 

In  Septeral)ei',  1881,  meetings  for  divine  service  were  held  in 
Clabaugh  Hall,  14th  Street,  between  Corcoran  and  R  Streets. 
These  grew  out  of  the  need  of  a  Presbyterian  Church  in  this 
rapidly  growing  section  of  the  city  ;  some  of  the  Cliristian  breth- 
ren appreciating  this  being  Dr.  W.  H.  H.  Warman,  Major  J.  T. 
Power,  J.  H.  Thompson,  Emerson  Hodges,  J.  P.  Tustin,  J.  Mc- 
Leod  and  B.  F.  Brochett,  who,  with  their  families,  sustained  the 
meetings  unanimously,  inviting  Rev.  G.  B.  Patch  to  take  up  the 
new  enterprise  March  15, 1882  ;  a  church  of  50  members  was  or- 
ganized.    It  asked  no  aid  from  the  Board  of  Church  Erection. 

The  present  edifice,  a  Chapel  60  x  43  feet,  seating  350,  and  cost- 
ing with  furnishing  about  88,000,  was  erected  in  1884,  and  dedi- 
cated November  15  of  that  year.  The  size  of  entire  lot  is  103 
feet  by  60.  The  estimated  value  of  the  properties  of  the  Church 
is  $25,000. 

The  roll  of  communicants  numbers  200  ;  of  the  Sabbath  School 
350.  A  full  congregation  occupies  the  sitting  capacity  of  the 
Church.  From  the  beginning  of  the  work  here  a  blessing  has 
evidently  rested  on  the  labors  of  those  who  have  had  its  interests 
on  their  hearts. 

The  Pastor,  until  recently,  gave  his  ministry  to  it  while  occu- 
pying a  desk  in  theGovernment  service  ;  within  the  current  year 
provision  has  been  made  by  his  people  for  his  support  while 
exclusively  devoting  himself  to  the  Church.  .  Providential  indi* 
cations  point  to  the  day  when  a  larger  Church  building  may  be 
erected  on  the  commodious  adjoining  lot. 

Officers. — Pastor^  Rev.  George  B.  Patch,  1323  R.  Street, 
north-west.  Elders:  J.  H.  Thompson,  B.  F.  Brockett,  Emer- 
son Hodges,  W.  H.  H.  Warman,  Sam'l  Snow.  Trustees  :  A.  G. 
M.  Prevost,  A.  B.  Claxton,  G.  Pike,  W.  T.  Bailey,  F.  Guy. 


Church   of  the   Covenant,   Connecticut  Avenue  and  Eight- 
eenth   Street. 

"Within  the  five  years  preceding  1885,  the  northwestern  sec- 
tion of  Washington  very  rapidly  advanced  in  popuhition  and  in 
the  number  and  character  of  tlie  new  hnildings  erected,  a  major- 
ity of  its  residents  being  of  the  wealthier  class,  and  among  tliese 
some  of  our  l)est  Presl)yterian  people.  A  Church  of  our  faith 
and  polity  was  demanded  some  years  indeed  before  successful 
movements  could  be  perfected  for  its  erection.  In  the  year  just 
named,  prominent  members  of  the  New  York  Avenue  Church, 
among  them  several  Elders,  impressed  with  the  ability  of  that 
Church  to  maintain  its  full  success  while  it  should  encourage  the 
new  enterprise,  held  with  others  a  conference,  believing  that  if  an 
eligible  site  should  be  secured  and  a  Chapel  built  here,  a  good 
and  permanent  work  would  be  accomplished. 

Before  seeking  an  organization,  therefore,  in  the  confidence 
which  faith  inspires,  they  erected  a  Chapel  on  N  Street,  on  the 
east  side  of  the  edifice  of  the  Church  now  being  built,  which  first 
step  cost  them  the  sum  of  $55,000. 

Subscriptions  were  then  opened  for  the  Church,  and  an  organ- 
ization effected  under  the  Presbytery.  October  13,  1885. 

March  3d,  of  the  year  following,  a  unanimous  call  was  ten- 
dered to  Rev.  Dr.  Tennis  S.  Hamlin,  then  Pastor  of  the  Mount 
Auburn  Church,  Cincinnati,  who  accepted  it,  entering  on  his 
duties  in  May  and  l)eing  installed  November  9th.  From  the 
commencement  of  Dr.  Hamlin's  ministry  the  presence  of  the 
Master  has  been  vouchsafed  to  His  work  in  answer  to  the  conse- 
scrated  labors  and  faith  of  the  membership.  This  increased  dur- 
ing the  year  from  53  to  154,  as  reported  in  March,  188Y,  to 
which  number  25  have  been  since  then  added.  The  activities  of 
the  Church  are  in  grateful  exercise ;  among  them  the  Society  of 
Endeavor  which  includes  the  benevolent  work  of  the  ladies,  the 
Mission  on  M  and  Twenty-eighth  Streets.  The  Society  of  En- 
deavor, during  its  first  six  months,  contributed  $1,300  to  the 
cause  of  Missions ;  the  Mission  on  Twenty-eighth  Street,  begun 
under  the  care  of  members  of  the  West  Street   Church,  was 


65 

adopted  bj  the  Cliurch  in  December,  1886  ;  an  Industrial  School 
is  attached  to  it. 

During  the  Church  year,  ending  Marcli,  1887,  the  contril)u- 
tions  of  the  Churcli  to  the  cause  of  Missions  had  reached  the 
sum  of  $2,686,  and  the  total  reported  under  the  head  of  "  Con- 
gregational "  that  of  $10,462.  Among  the  hitest  liberal  collect- 
ions, is  tlie  sum  of  $1,350  for  Ministerial  Relief. 

The  main  editice,  now  approaching  completion,  will  have  a 
seating  capacity  exceeding  1,000  ;  it  will  be  ready  for  occupancy 
in  the  autumn  of  the  present  year.  The  building  is  of  Barber 
stone,  a  beautiful  light-colored  material,  quarried  a  few  miles 
above  the  City,  on  the  Potomac;  the  trimmings  are  of  Ohio 
stone,  with  much  carved  work.  The  tower  is  monumental  and 
will  I'ise  155  feet;  the  lantern,  with  its  corridors  on  the  north 
and  south,  is  covered  with  dark-colored  tiles.  The  Church  inte- 
rior is  of  Oak,  and  is  an  elaborate  system  of  arches.  The  size  of 
the  whole  lot,  on  which  the  property  is  situated,  is  155  feet  by 
80  ;  total  cost  of  main  building  will  be  about  $125,000  ;  Church, 
Chapel  and  Pastor's  Study  cover  the  whole  lot. 

Officers.  Pastur,  Rev.  Teunis  S.  Hamlin,  D.  D.  Elder s^W\\\\2i.va 
Ballantyne,  C.  B.  Jewell,  Admiral  E.  R.  Calhoun,  A.  R.  Quaiffe, 
Mr.  Justice  William  Strong,  Admiral  S.  P.  Carter.  Deacons, 
C,  W,  Bushnell,  H.  B,  McFarland,  M,  Brodhead,C.  B.  Shafer! 
Trustees,  Mr.  Justice  William  Strong,  Mr,  Justice  S.  Matthews, 
J.  E.  Fitch,  R.  Fendall,  W.  Ballantyne,  Admiral  S.  P.  Carter, 
M.  W.  Gait,  J.  G.  Hubbard,  C,  B.  Jewell, 


The  Churcheis  i7i  Virginia,  and  in  Montgoniery  County,  Md. 

Le\vinsville  Church,  Virginia,  1846. 

In  1845,  a  nuiril)er  of  families,  emigrating  from  tlie  Northern 
and  Middle  States  to  the  county  of  Fairfax,  Yirginia,  were  tem- 
porarily supplied  with  Presbyterian  services  by  Kev.  William 
Maffit,  of  the  Baltimore  Presbytery,  then  conducting  a  school 
near  Langley.  The  year  following,  Commodore  Thos.  Ap  C. 
Jones,  U.  S.  N.,  who,  with  his  family  and  friends  had  long  de- 
sired the  gathering  of  a  Presbyterian  Congregation  at  Lewins- 
ville,  secured  the  employment  of  Rev.  L.  H.  Christian,  who  suc- 
cessfully (tarried  forward  Mr.  Maffit's  work  and  that  of  the  occa- 
sional preaching  hy  Rev.  Drs.  Harrison  and  Tustin.  Mr.  Christian 
also  collected  funds  for  the  erection  of  a  house  of  worship  from 
friends  in  the  neighboring  counties  and  in  the  District  of  Colum- 
bia. A  Church  organization  was  effected  October  17,  1846,  and 
a  house  of  worship  dedicated  Jamiary  3,  1847 ;  its  lot  being  the 
gift  of  Mrs.  C.  M.  Ball.  Mr.  Amzi  Coe  and  Mr.  B.  Gilbert 
were  the  first  Elders. 

Following  Mr.  Christian,  Mr.  J.  M.  Henry's  labors  were  much 
blessed  by  a  revival  strengthening  the  Church :  he  was  succeeded  in 
1849  by  Rev.  B.  F.  Whaley.  In  1854,  Rev.  B.  F.  Bittinger  was 
elected  Pastor,  remaining  with  the  Church  from  October  27,1851, 
to  January  15, 1857,  during  which  time  alargennmberof  additions 
were  made  to  the  membership,  and  a  neat  Manse  built  on  ground 
donated  by  Mrs.  C.  M.  and  Miss  Lucy  Ball. 

The  pastorate  of  Rev.  C.  B.  Makie  followed  from  1857  to  1859, 
and  the  Church  enjoyed  further  prosperity  under  that  of  Rev. 
E.  B.  Sinith,  November  10,  1859,  to  April  13,  1861,  when  he  was 
dismissed  to  the  Central  Presbytery,  Phila.  The  breaking  out 
of  the  war  arrested  all ;  the  building  ana  the  Manse  were  occu- 
pied by  the  Union  troops  under  Gen'l  Hancock. 

From  June,  1866,  to  1870,  Rev.  H.  P.  Dechert  regathered  the 
congregation  in  connection  with  like  services  at  Falls  Church. 
In  1871,  Rev.  D.  H.  Riddle  further  restored  the  Church,  which, 
however,  was  again  weakened  by  the  withdrawal,  in  1873,  of 
those  who  were  organized  into  the  new  Church  at  "Falls  Church" 
village.  On  the  withdrawal  of  Mr.  Riddle  to  this  last-named 
organization  in  1873,  Rev.  John  Brown  was  elected  Pastor  of 


67 

the  Lewinsville  and  Vienna  Cluirclies,  the  last  named  being  then 
organized.  Mr.  Brown  was  followed  in  1875  by  ~Rev.  J.  Odell. 
and  he,  in  1876,  by  Revs.  E.  H.  Cnmpston  and  S.  Mnrdock  as 
Stated  Supplies.  In  1882,  Rev.  H.  Clark  was  installed  Pastor. 
The  Church  becoming  again  vacant  in  1848  was  supplied  till 
August  29,  1886,  by  Rev.  J.  E.  Nourse,  when  the  present  Pas- 
tor, Rev.  W.  H.  Edwards,  entered  on  his  duties,  and  was  installed 
October  12  of  that  year. 

The  earnest  efforts  of  the  congregation  and  its  friends  during 
the  last  three  years  have  succeeded  in  restoring  the  Church  build- 
ings, the  Manse,  and  the  grounds  of  the  cemetery ;  and  at  pres- 
ent the  spiritual  state  of  the  congregation  is  one  of  much 
promise,  the  membersliip  having  recently  more  than  doul)led. 

Officers  :  Pastor,  Rev.  W.  H.  Edwards  ;  Eldera^  A.  J.  Head 
A.  Mankin,  R.  S.  Bonham. 

Falls  Church,  February,  1873. 

As  early  as  1812  a  committee  of  tlie  Baltimore  Presbytery  re- 
ported to  that  body  that  "  three  places  southwest  of  the  Potomac 
invited  attention,"  and  Professor  Maffit,  then  a  member  of  the 
Presbytery,  was  directed  to  devote  as  much  of  his  time  as  possi- 
ble to  these :  they  were  Falls  Church,  Centre  (Centreville),  and 
Difficult.  Mr.  Maifit  had  previously  supplied  the  Bladensburg 
Church,  and  was  afterwards,  for  some  years,  engaged  in  teaching 
in  Fairfax  county,  Virginia.     He  died  in  1828. 

No  other  work  appears,  however,  to  have  been  done  for  these 
places  except  the  holding  of  the  occasional  services  by  Mr.  Maifit, 
until  after  the  lapse  of  more  than  twenty  years  an  emigration 
from  the  Northern  States  made  it  possible  to  renew  pi-eaching 
services  with  the  hope  of  establisliing  permanent  good.  In  1843, 
such  an  emigration  took  place.  It  came  from  the  States  of  Con- 
necticut, New  York  and  Pennsylvania,  and  was  made  up  of  sturdy 
and  industrious  families  of  Presbyterian  and  Congregational 
ideas,  bringing  always,  as  Bancroft  affirms,  with  them  a  vigorous 
element  of  success.  Their  first  efforts  were  (as  has  already  been 
show^n)  for  the  vicinity  of  Lewinsville.  Two  years  later  than 
the  establishing  of  the  Lewinsville  Church,  1846,  a  congregation 
was  gathered  in  the  house  of  the  late  Mr.  Amzi  Coe,  near  the 
village  of  Falls  Church — a  name  given  to  the  settlement  from  its 


68 

vicinity  to  the  Great  Falls  of  the  Potomac.  Occasional  services 
were  held  in  this  residence  and  in  others  near  by,  which  took 
soon  the  form  of  re^jular  Sabbath  worship  twice  a  month  in  Mr- 
Coe's,  until  the  building  of  a  school  house  in  the  village,  when 
under  the  Pastor  of  Lewinsville  Church,  Dr.  B.  F.  Bittinger,  for 
three  years,  until  1861,  these  were  increased  to  regular  Sabbath- 
day  worship,  and  under  him  who  then  resided  there,  were  attended 
by  the  ingathering  of  a  number  of  members  for  the  Lewinsville 
Church.  In  1861  the  war  suspended  all.  Some  of  the  original  fam- 
ilies, among  them  those  of  Mr.  Bittinger,  Messrs.  Coe,  Lonnsbury? 
Osborn  and  Munson  had  remained  in  the  county.  By  their  efforts 
Groot  Hall,  which  had  been  previously  occupied  for  divine 
service,  was  soon  purchased  and  fitted  up  for  more  permanent 
use  as  a  church,  the  securing  of  which  was  effected  by  the  vigor- 
ous efforts  chiefly  of  the  ladies  of  the  congregation,  among  whom 
should  be  named  with  others,  Mrs.  R.  Bittinger  and  Miss  Lucy 
Munson  (now  Mrs.  Dr.  Taylor,  of  Wooster,  Ohio),  who  ob- 
tained sufiicient  aid  from  friends  in  the  Washington  churches  and 
in  the  North  to  free  this  hall  from  debt.  It  was  dedicated 
November  30,  1866,  E.ev.  Dr.  J.  Chester  preaching  the  dedi- 
cation sermon. 

Rev.  H.  P.  Dec.hert,  a  licentiate  of  New  York  Presbytery, 
had  regathered  a  congregation  and  ministered  to  it  in  connection 
with  his  services  to  the  Lewisville  Church. 

In  1870,  Mr.  Dechert  was  succeeded  by  Kev.  David  Riddle, 
who  was  installed  as  Pastor  of  Lewinsville,  April  25,  1871.  In 
February,  1873,  the  members  of  that  church  who  resided  in  and 
near  Falls  Church  were  organized  in  a  church  of  that  name, 
when  Mr.  Riddle  withdrew  from  Lewinsville,  devoting  his  time 
to  the  new  organization,  and  soon  after  to  preaching  also  at 
Ballston,  where  a  branch  of  the  Falls  Church  was  formed,  and  a 
house  of  worship  erected.     It  was  dedicated  October  22d,  1876. 

The  first  Elders  elected  for  Falls  Church  were  Messrs.  A.  E. 
Lonnsbury,  S.  A.  Coe,  M.  C.  Munson  and  A.  P.  Douglas,  who 
continue  to  serve  as  such  with  Mr.  W.  J.  Allen  ;  Messrs.  Mun- 
son and  Douglas  at  the  Ballston  Church.  In  the  year  1865,  a 
handsome  gothic  stone  edifice,  52  feet  by  32,  with  a  tower,  was 
completed  at  Falls  Ciiurch. 

The  dedicatory  services  were  conducted  October  30th  by  Rev. 


69 

Drs.  Bartlett  and  Bittinger,  the  historical  memorial  being  by  the 
Pastor.  The  value  of  this  property,  of  the  building  first  occu- 
pied and  of  the  Ballston  Church,  is  estimated  at  $16,000. 

The  roll  of  members  reported  to  the  Assembly  of  1887  num- 
bers 110;  of  Sabbath-School  scholars,  144.  The  columns  of 
contril)utions  to  the  Boards  of  the  Church,  are  well  filled  and 
the  activities  of  the  members  are  largely  enlisted  in  the  various 
objects  of  church  work. 

Officers. — Pastor^  Rev.  D.  H.  Riddle.  Elders:  M.  C.  Mun- 
son,  A.  E.  Lounsbury,  S.  A.  Coe,  A.  P.  Douglas,  W.  J.  Allen. 
Trustees:   For  Falls   Church — D.  O.  Munson,   G.  B.  Ives,  Seth 

Osborne,  G.  O.  Mankin ;  For  Ballston — H.  O.  Whallon,  

Clemens,  A.  G.  Hays. 

Vienna  Presbyterian    Church,  1873, 

was  organized  November  16,  1873,  by  Rev.  J.  G.  Hamner,  Syn- 
odical  Missionary,  by  authority  of  the  Presbytery  of  Wash- 
ington city.  Its  nine  first  members  were  those  whose  names  had 
been  first  enrolled  on  the  session  book  of  the  Lewinsville  Church, 
but  who  now  desired  to  revive  the  state  of  religion  in  their  im- 
mediate neighborhood,  there  being  no  house  of  worship  for  the 
county  on  a  line  between  Lewinsville  and  Fairfax  Court- House. 
The  war  had  suspended  the  occasional  services  which  had  been 
held  by  the  Presbyterian  Ministers  at  this  village.  Through  the 
efforts  of  Rev.  John  Brown,  then  Pastor  of  the  Church  at  Lew- 
insville, supported  by  the  liberal  contributions  of  Messrs.  Kenyon, 
Van  Orden,  Head,  and  others  in  the  vicinity,  and  with  aid  from 
the  Board  of  Church  Erection,  and  of  friends  in  Washington,  a  neat 
Church  edifice  was  erected  in  1873,  and  Mr.  Brown  was  installed 
Pastor,  remaining  with  the  Church  until  1875.  He  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Rev.  J.  Odell,  as  stated  supply  for  one  year,  following 
whom  were  Revs.  S.  Murdock  and  E.  H,  Cumpston.  In  1882 
Rev.  H.  Clark  was  installed,  and  continued  until  August,  1884, 
when  the  Church,  becoming  again  vacant,  was  supplied  until  Au- 
gust, 1886,  by  Rev.  J.  E.  Nourse.  Tlie  present  Pastor,  Rev.  W. 
H.  Edwards,  was  installed  October  29,  1886. 

The  Chnrcli  is  young  in  years,  and  consists  of  those  who  are 
in  but  moderate  circumstances,  but  whose  desires  are  toward  the  up- 
building of  the  Kingdom.     It  is  under  careful  oversight,  and  prom- 


TO 

ises  permanent  good  to  tlie  homes  of  its  people,  and  a  decided 
influence  on  the  community.  Dnrinjr  the  past  three  years  ground 
has  been  purchased  for  a  Manse,  and  other  improvements  added. 
Officers. — Pd.stur,  Rev.  William  H.  Edwards  ;  Elders^  B.  W. 
Head,  J.  R.  Blake,  H.  0.  Powell,  A.  B.  Shaw. 

First  Prince  W^illiam  Church,  Virginia,  1850,  Manassas 
Church,  Clifton  Church. 

The  accounts  of  these  Churches,  originally  in  the  same  mis- 
sionary field,  are  taken  chiefly  from  the  journal  of  Dr.  B.  F.  Bit- 
tinger.  The  field  in  which  they  were  organized — the  two  first  in 
Prince  William  county,  and  the  last  in  Fairfax  county — has  been 
for  the  most  part  served  as  one. 

First  Prince  William  Church. 

Before  the  year  1848  occasional  services  had  been  held  in  pri- 
vate houses  in  the  vicinity  of  the  present  settlement  of  Nokes- 
ville  by  Rev.  Dr.  Harrison,  of  the  Alexandria  Church,  and  Rev. 
Mr.  Stoddert,  of  the  Winchester  Presbytery.  In  1848  the  fami- 
lies of  Messrs.  Hornbaker  and  Rube,  and  other  Presbyterians, 
having  removed  there  from  New  Jersey  and  Pennsylvania,  the 
Presbytery  of  Winchester  at  their  request  appointed  Rev.  J.  M. 
Henry  to  organize  a  Church,  which   was  effected  July  20,  1850. 

Following  Mr.  Henry  the  services  were  further  well  sustained, 
chiefly  by  Rev.  Thomas  Balch,  until  the  outbrealc  of  the  war, 
which  scattered  the  Northern  people  and  closed  the  Church.  The 
building  was  saved  from  the  flames  of  war  b}^  the  intercession  of 
Mrs.  Mary  Kline,  one  of  its  members. 

In  the  fall  of  1866,  at  the  request  of  the  people  to  have  the 
services  renewed  by  the  Presbytery  of  Potomac,  Rev.  J.  E. 
Nourse  resumed  preaching  in  the  dwelling  of  Mrs.  Rube,  and  in 
the  spring  which  followed  the  Ijuilding  was  repaired.  Its  grounds 
and  the  cemetery  lot  were  the  donation  of  Mr.  Thatcher,  of  New 
Jersey.  In  1875  Rev.  Mr.  Carmichael  became  the  Stated  Supply, 
and  was  succeeded  in  1878  by  Rev.  Mr.  F.  M.  Todd,  the  present 
pastor  of  the  Manassas  Church.  No  pastorate  lias  existed.  The 
population  of  the  neighborhood  has  rather  declined  than  increased, 
and  there  is  apparently  little,  if  any,  of  a  new  element  to  main- 
tain Presl)yterian  services.     Meral)ership,  16. 

Eldera. — John  Slaught,  W.  S.  Sivayzee,  J.  G.  Reading. 


71 

Manassas  Church 

was  organized  soon  after  the  close  of  tlie  war,  from  tlie  suf- 
ferings of  which  it  was  reviving.  It  had  destroyed  nearly 
every  dwelling  in  the  town.  Members  of  the  First  Prince 
William  Church  residing  near  the  old  town,  and  having  had 
their  own  house  of  worship  near  there  destroyed  by  the  war, 
petitioned  the  Potomac  Presbytery  for  a  new  organization^  and 
this  was  effected  by  a  committee  consisting  of  Revs.  John  Chester 
and  J.  E.  Nourse,  July  6,  1867.  The  tirst  Elders  were  Messrs. 
G.  W.  Mitchell  and  Levi  H.  Newman.  An  advantageous  lot 
having  been  purcliased  in  the  centre  of  the  town,  by  the  self-de- 
nial and  assistance  of  a  few  members,  and  by  help  from  friends 
abroad,  a  brown  freestone  house  of  worship  was  erected  after 
services  in  a  small  frame  building  for  several  years.  From  1867 
Kev.  J.  E.  Nourse  was  the  Stated  Supply  until  1875,  when  Mr. 
Carmichael  took  charge  of  this  and  the  Prince  William  congre- 
gation.    In  1878,  Rev.  Mr.  Todd  was  installed  Pastor. 

The  roll  of  church  members  numbers  61  ;  Sabbath-school  roll, 
57.     The  contributions  to  the  Boards  are  well  maintained. 

Officers: — Pastur,  Rev.  F.  M.  Todd  ;  Elders,  C.  A.  Snowball, 
C.  H,  Worthington,  Gr.  Trimmer,  E.  Goode,  O.  Chamberlain. 

Clifton  Church,  Fairfax  County,  Virginia. 

In  1868,  Mr.  Harrison  G.  Otis,  of  Geneva,  N.  Y.,  and  not 
long  afterwards  Messrs.  J.  Sanford  Otis  and  H.  C.  Kewraan,  of 
Orange,  and  T.  B.  Graham,  of  Montclair,  N.  J.,  having  removed 
to  this  section,  began  some  stated  Sabbath  services  for  the  people 
of  the  neighborhood,  and  looked  for  the  establishment  of  a  Pres- 
byterian Church. 

Rev.  J.  E.  Nourse,  then  supplying  the  First  Prince  William 
and  Manassas  field,  held  for  them  the  first  regular  services  in 
the  basement  of  a  then  unfinished  building  owned  by  Mr.  H. 
G.  Otis. 

The  ground  for  a  church,  with  an  additional  liberal  contribu. 
tion,  having  been  given  by  Mr.  H.  G.  and  Mrs.  Mary  Otis,  and 
help  being  secured  from  the  Board  of  Church  Erection  and  from 
friends,  by  Mr.  Newman  and  J.  S.  Otis,  chiefly  in  Brooklyn,  the 
corner-stone  was  laid  December  31,  1871  ;  an  organization  hav- 
ing been  effected  in  May  previous.     Rev.  William  Bradley,  re- 


72 

moving  to  this  place  from  New  York,  became  the  Stated  Supply 
until  16T7,  when  Rev.  Mr.  Todd,  of  Manassas,  succeeded  in  con 
nection  with  the  Manassas  Church. 

Since  1881  the  pulpit  has  been  supplied  by  appointments  un- 
der Fresi)ytery,  cliietiy  l)y  Rev.  Dr.  Dudley  and  the  late  Charles 
H.  Raymond.  The  Church  edifice  has  been  recently  fully  re- 
paired by  the  liberal  efforts  of  a  small  congregation,  aided  by 
friends  in  Maryland.  The  enterprise  properly  belongs  to  the 
same  field  with  the  Manassas  and  First  Prince  William  Churches, 
with  which  it  may  become  self-sustaining.  Attendance  on  the 
stated  services  is  good  and  the  Sabbath-School  work  is  encourag- 
ing for  the  Church  and  for  tiie  village.     Its  roll  numbers  61. 

Officers: — /t'l(lers,R.  C.  Newman,  T.  B.  Graham,W.  E.  Ford- 

Darnestown  Church,  Montgomery  County,  Md. 

Previous  to  1850,  for  several  years,  Rev.  Charles  H.  Nourse  gave 
much  ministerial  labor  to  this  region,  preaching  at  Middlebrook, 
Darnestown,  and  Poolesville,  at  which  last-named  place  he  gath- 
ered a  congregation  and  secured  the  erection  of  the  present 
church  building. 

The  Darnestown  Church  grew  out  of  the  labors  of  Rev.  Dan- 
iel Motzer  while  laboring  as  a  domestic  missionary  in  Montgom- 
ery county  under  the  direction  of  the  Presbytery  of  Baltimore 
and  supported  by  the  Churches — Bridge  street,  Georgetown,  and 
F  street,  Washington  city — and  by  Mrs.  Fitzgerald,  of  Yirginia. 
Mr.  Motzer  commenced  his  labors  in  Neelsville  Sept.  1,  1854,  de- 
voting a  part  of  his  time  to  the  vicinity  of  Darnestown.  At  first 
he  held  worship  in  an  old  log  building  at  Pleasant  Hill,  known 
as  the  "  Union  Church."  This  was  in  May,  1855.  His  labors 
were  greatly  blqssed,  and  it  was  not  long  before  the  way  was 
opened  for  the  erection  of  a  Presbyterian  Church  near  the  vil- 
lage of  Darnestown.  Mrs.  John  F.  Du  Fief  generously  donated 
three  acres  of  ground  for  the  purpose,  and  on  the  14th  of  Sep- 
tember, 1855,  the  corner-stone  of  the  present  building  was  laid 
with  appropriate  religious  services  by  Rev.  Mr.  Motzer,  aided  by 
Rev.  Dr.  Gurley,  of  Washington  city.  April,  1857,  Messrs. 
J.  Darl)y  and  J.  C.  Dellet  were  elected  Ruling  Elders.  At  the 
close  of  the  first  year  the  number  of  communicants  had  increased 
to  forty-five,  the  larger  immber  on  profession,  and  Mr.  Motzer's 
labors  continued  to  receive  the  Divine   blessing  till   his   death, 


73 

March  1,  1864.  He  was  succeeded  by  Hev.  J.  S.  H.  Henderson 
as  Stated  Supply,  1864-1870.  Rev.  Chas.  Beach  serving  the 
Church  from  Dec.  10,  1870,  was  installed  Oct.  30, 1871,  and  con- 
tinned  till  Sept.  17, 1877,  and  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  H.  C.  Brown 
as  Stated  Supply  March  3,  1878.  In  1883  Rev.  Janies  M.  Nourse 
was  elected  Pastor  and  installed  Nov,  14,  remaining  with  the 
people  until  April  27,  1885.  He  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Davis 
L.  Rathbun,  of  the  Baltimore  Presl)ytery  ;  installed  October  28, 
1885.  The  roll  of  members  reported  to  the  Assembly  numbers 
eighty.  Columns  for  contributions  to  the  Boards  of  the  Church, 
all  tilled. 

Officers. — Rev.  D.  L.  Rathbun  ;  Elders^  F.  A.  Tschiffely, 
M.  B.  Montgomery,  J.  S.  Winder,  Thomas  Kelly,  and  Geo.  R.  Rice. 

Neelsville    Church,  Montgomery  County,  Maryland. 

This  organization  was  made  December  6,  1845,  by  the  Rev, 
Elias  Harrison,  D.  D,,  and  Rev,  John  Miller,  a  committee  of  the 
Presbytery  of  Baltimore.  Its  members  were  formerly  connected 
with  the  church  at  Rockville.  Mr.  Wm.  Musser  was  their  first 
Ruling  Elder.  For  two  years  the  Church  was  supplied  by  the 
Rev.  Samuel  J.  Baird,  who  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  A.  M,  Her- 
shey. 

Septem])er  1,  1854,  Rev,  Daniel  Motzer  connected  his  charge 
of  the  Darnestown  Church  with  his  ministerial  labors  here,  and 
remained  with  the  people  till  his  death,  March  1,  1864. 

Rev.  James  S.  H.  Henderson  supplied  the  pulpit  from  1864*  to 
1870  in  connection  with  the  supply  of  the  Darnestown  Church  ; 
from  May,  1870,  until  his  death  he  preached  at  Neelsville  only. 
From  the  time  of  his  deatli  the  pulpit  has  been  supplied  by  mem- 
bers of  the  Washington  City  Presbytery ;  for  tliree  years  by 
Rev.  J.  L.  French.     The  Church  has  never  had  a  pastorate. 

The  Moderator  of  the  Session  is  Rev.  T.  S.  Childs,  D.  D.  The 
first  house  of  worship,  built  in  1842,  was  replaced  by  a  more 
commodious  one  in  June,  1878. 

Elders,  1887.— J.  T.  Wartield,  J.  E.  Deets,  W.  Musser,  W.  T. 
Lewis. 

Boyd's  Station. 

The  Church  here  was  the  result  of  the  labors  of  Rev.  J.  S.  H. 
Henderson,  while  laboring  also  at  Neelsville,     Its  house  of  wor- 


74 

ship  was  dedicated  in  June,  1876.  No  pastorate  has  been  formed. 
The  Moderator  of  the  Session,  since  the  date  of  supply  hy  Rev- 
J.  L.  Frencli,  is  Dr.  T.  S.  Childs. 

Elders,  1887.— J.  A.  Boyd,  M.  T.  Lewis. 

Hermon  Church,  1874. 

This  Church,  nine  miles  distant  from  Georgetown,  is  the 
inheritor  of  one  of  the  very  earliest  of  Presbyterian  organization 
in  this  region,  the  Cabin  John  Church,  founded  by  Rev,  Hugh 
Conn,  already  named  as  having  founded  the  Old  Bladensburg 
organization  of  1718.  Cabin  John  was  organized  in  1752,  the 
last  year  of  Mr.  Conn's  Ministry.  At  the  first  meeting  of  Balti- 
more Presbytery,  1786,  Rev.  James  Hunt  represented  the 
Church,  and  in  1809,  Rev.  John  Breckenridge  supplied  the  pul- 
pit in  connection  with  his  ministry  to  the  first  Presbyterian 
Church  of  Washington.  The  remains  of  Rev.  Mr.  Hunt  were 
interred  near  the  church  building,  some  of  the  timbers  of  which 
may  still  be  seen.  In  1823,  Rev.  John  Mines  supplied  the 
Church  in  connection  with  his  charge  of  Rockville,  and  at  times 
Bethesda.  This  organization,  however,  became  extinct,  the 
property  being  also  lost  by  its  transfer  to  another  people. 

Through  the  efforts  of  Mr.  J.  W.  D.  Moore,  formerly  a  mem- 
ber of  the  West  Street  Church,  Georgetown,  a  new  organization 
was  effected  January  5,  1874,  under  Rev.  Dr.  S.  H.  Howe  and 
Rev.  J.  G.  Hamner,  Jr.  Mr.  Hamner  had  been  for  some  months, 
holding  services  in  an  adjacent  school  house.  In  November  of 
the  same  year,  a  neat  frame  building,  erected  by  the  residents 
of  the  neighborhood,  with,  aid  also  from  our  Board  of  Church 
Erection,  and  firm  friendrin  West  Street  Church,  was  dedicated. 
Since  that  date,  with  the  exception  of  the  two  years'  supply  of 
the  pulpit,  by  Rev.  John  A.  Carmichael,  in  connection  with  his 
services  also  at  Manassas,  Virginia,  the  Church  has  been  almost 
continuously  cared  for  by  Rev.  Dr.  T.  W.  Simpson.  It  is  in  an 
isolated  location,  making  it  difficult  for  a  small  congregation  to 
maintain  its  services.  The  report  to  tlie  Assembly  of  1887,  was 
that  of  29  members,  and  30  Sabbath-School  Scholars.  Elders 
J.  D.  W.  Moore  and  R.  G.  Davidson. 


For  aid  in  carrying  forward  the  typographical  execution  of  this  volume,  I 
am  indebted  to  my  young  friend    Mr.  C.  T.  Bell,  printer,  1530  29th  street  N  W. 


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